Treadmill having adjustable inclination

ABSTRACT

A treadmill may include two separate left and right belts rotating around two sets of rollers, four legs having an adjustable height via air suspension to customize an inclination of the treadmill, a thermoelectric assembly, a fragrance assembly having a rotating fragrance cartridge to emit various smells toward a user of the treadmill, a display on which exercise programs are played, and an attachment module having a dispensing tray on which treats are dispensed. A handle of the treadmill may have a sensor to sense a height and front-rear position, and a belt divider provided between the left and right belts may have position or proximity sensors to sense a left-right position. An inclination of the treadmill may be automatically adjusted according to positions detected by the sensors, and the fragrance assembly, attachment module, and inclination may be automatically operated in accordance with an exercise program played on the display.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

A treadmill for animals is disclosed herein.

2. Background

In recent years, the population of those raising a pet has increased inview of attachment and interest pets. Like most animals, exercise isimportant for a pet's physical and mental health. Ideally, pets shouldexercise four times or more daily. However, owners are often busy andunable to exercise their pets frequently. In addition, inclement weathermay interfere with outdoor exercise even when an owner is home. Sincepets are often left alone and since communication with their humanowners is difficult, the demand for pet equipment which may allow a petto use without an owner's help has increased.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,347,603, 4,332,217, 4,205,628, 4,095,561, 5,081,991,4,361,115, 7,736,273, 6,609,478, 6,837,186, 6,722,316, 6,058,888,5,775,263, 5,277,150, 5,002,015, and 4,981,136, and U.S. PublicationNos. 2013/0092096, 2012/0024237, and 2010/0175634 disclose treadmillsfor animals (hereinafter “related art.”) However, such pet treadmillshave various disadvantages, which the present disclosure solves. Forexample, the treadmills of the related art do not have many devices tostimulate a pet while a pet exercises autonomously on the treadmill. Inaddition, the treadmills of the related art are not easily customizable,adjustable, or portable.

The above references are incorporated by reference herein whereappropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternativedetails, features and/or technical background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a front of a treadmill according to anembodiment;

FIG. 5A is a view of a treadmill with a handle folded in a storage stateshowing an attachment module;

FIG. 5B is a view of a treadmill with the attachment module removed andstored in an upright position with a handle folded in a storage state;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a treadmill according to anembodiment;

FIG. 7A is a side view of a treadmill according to an embodiment showingan upper frame of the base removed from the lower frame;

FIG. 7B shows a side view of an upper frame showing right roller framesaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 7C shows a side view of an upper frame showing left roller framesaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cut side view of a treadmill showing an inside of the base;

FIG. 9 is perspective side view of the treadmill of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10A is a top view of the treadmill of FIG. 8 without a display ofthe attachment module;

FIG. 10B is a top view of the belts removed from the rollers accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an optional roller frame of a treadmillaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the roller frame of FIG. 11 when alength is adjusted to be shortened;

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the roller frame of FIG. 11 when alength is adjusted to be lengthened;

FIG. 14 is an exploded side view of a handle of a treadmill according toan embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the handle of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 16 is an exploded side view of a debris remover and lower frame ofa treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the debris remover and lowerframe of FIG. 16 ;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the debris removerof FIG. 16 ;

FIG. 19 is a perspective back view of a back height adjuster accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective front view of the back height adjuster and UVlight of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a side of a front roller cover andUV light according to an embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of a thermoelectric cooler anddeodorizer according to an embodiment;

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the thermoelectric cooler ofFIG. 22 and an assembled deodorizer of FIG. 22 ;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the blower and deodorizer of FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 25 is an exploded side view of a fragrance assembly according to anembodiment;

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective of the fragrance assembly of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a treadmill according to an embodimentshowing a detached attachment module;

FIG. 28A shows a side exploded view of the attachment assembly of FIG.27 ;

FIG. 28B and FIG. 28C shows perspective front views of possiblearrangements of the attachment assembly;

FIG. 29 shows a front view of an attachment module according to anembodiment;

FIG. 30 shows a perspective front view of the attachment module of FIG.29 ;

FIG. 31 shows a process where a video on the display plays according toa speed of the treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 32 shows a process of luring a pet to a treadmill for autonomousexercise according to an embodiment;

FIG. 33 shows a process of adjusting a speed of the treadmill based on aposition of the pet on the treadmill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 34 shows a process of adjusting an inclination of the treadmillbased on a position of the pet on the treadmill according to anembodiment;

FIG. 35 shows a process of feeding a pet on the treadmill according toan embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a block diagram of a main controller provided in a controlmodule; and

FIGS. 37A and 37B show an alternative embodiment of height adjustmentprocess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 , a treadmill 1 according to an embodiment mayinclude a base 100 including rotating left and right belts 110 and 120on which an animal or a pet (e.g., dog) may exercise (e.g., run, walk,or skip). The left and right belts 110 and 120 may rotate at differentspeeds to accommodate different stride lengths on left and right sidesof a pet. The speeds of the left and right belts 110 and 120 may beconfigured to correspond to a linear speed of a typical pet walkingalongside a human. As described in this specification, “left” and“right” may mean with respect from a view from a rear of the treadmill 1(i.e., from a perspective while using the treadmill 1).

An attachment module 200 provided at a front of the treadmill 1 may playvideos on a removable display 210 and dispense treats from a removablecontainer 230 onto a removable dispensing tray 220. Treats may bedispensed onto the dispensing tray 220 from the container 230 to lure apet to the treadmill 1, stimulate a pet during exercise, and reward apet after exercise. The display 210 may play videos or sounds to bothlure a pet to the treadmill 1 and stimulate a pet on the treadmill 1 inaccordance with a pre-set exercise program.

The attachment module 200 may be easily removable or customizable, andthe treadmill 1 may further include a handle 300 that folds down tosurround the base 100 for easy storage and portability when theattachment module 200 is removed. When the handle 300 is not folded andis erected above the left and right belts 110 and 120, a user may liftthe treadmill 1 by the handle 300 to reposition or move the treadmill 1.The handle 300 may include a handle sensor 331 (e.g., image sensor orcamera) that detects a height of the pet, and a height of the handle 300may be automatically adjusted based on the sensed height of the pet bythe handle sensor 331. The handle sensor 331 may also sense a positionof the pet in a frontward and backward direction, and speeds of the leftand right belts 110 and 120 may be adjusted to maintain a safe positionof the pet on the treadmill 1. The speeds of the left and right belts110 and 120 may also be controlled according to a pre-set exerciseprogram and may correspond to images on the display 210. When the leftand right belts 110 and 120 are moving at slightly different speeds, thespeeds of the left and right belts 110 and 120 may be increased ordecreased by a same amount in response to a position of the pet sensedby the handle sensor 331.

A divider 130 may be provided between the left and right belts 110 and120 and may be removed during storage. The divider 130 may include leftand right proximity sensors 132 and 133 to sense a position of the petin a left-right direction. The treadmill 1 may include adjustable legs411 a, 412 a, 421 a, and 422 a that are each independently controlled bya height adjustment assembly having back and front height adjusters 410and 420 (FIG. 6 ). Based on a position detected by the left and rightproximity sensors 132 and 133, heights of the legs 411 a, 412 a, 421 a,and 422 a may be raised or lowered to adjust an inclination of thetreadmill 1 at four separate corners. An inclination of the treadmill 1may also be adjusted as part of a pre-set exercise program andcorrespond to images on the display 210.

The base 100 may include an upper frame or cover 140 coupled to a lowerframe or cover 150. Sides of the base 100 may have a relatively lowheight as compared to a pet on the treadmill 1 so as to reduce anxiety.An upper surface of the upper frame 140 may have a height that issimilar to or only a few inches above a height of upper surface of thefirst and second belts 110 and 120. The height of the upper frame 140may increase from the rear of the base 100 to the front of the base 100.The left and right belts 110 and 120 may be exposed through the upperframe 140. The upper frame 140 may include openings 147 in which ventsor vanes 146 may be provided. Cool or hot air may flow through the vents146 to the pet on the left and right belts 110 and 120, and the vents146 may be automatically opened and closed to control a flow of airthrough the vents 146. Scented air and/or deodorizing ions may also beblown through the vents 146 to the air around the pet.

Discharge holes 154 may be provided in the lower frame 150 of the base100 to exhaust air from a blower 610 (FIG. 8 ) inside the treadmill 1.For example, during a cooling operation, hot air may be dischargedthrough the discharge holes 154, while cool air may be blown by theblower 610 through the vents 146. During a heating operation, cool airmay be discharged through the discharge holes 154, while hot or warm airmay be blown by the blower 610 through the vents 146. A position of theblower 610 may be configured to blow air straight through the vents 146or to blow air through the vents 146 at a predetermined angle.

Referring to FIGS. 6-10B, the blower 610 may be a radially bladed fan610, e.g., tangential or cross-flow fan, to blow warm, cold, and/orscented air through the vents 146 to the pet. The radially bladed fan610 may also disperse ions emitted or generated by a deodorizer 620through the vents 146 to break apart pollutants and deodorize the airsurrounding the treadmill 1. The left and right belts 110 and 120 may befurther cleaned by first and second sterilizing lights 191 and 192provided at the back and front ends of the treadmill 1 (FIGS. 21-22 ),respectively, that each emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

The treadmill 1 may include a fragrance assembly 500 that emits variousscents, and the radially bladed fan 610 may disperse scent through thevents 146 to the pet. Scents may be emitted to both lure a pet to thetreadmill 1 and stimulate a pet on the treadmill 1 in accordance with apre-set exercise program and/or images played on the display 210.

The pet may be both lured to and stimulated on the treadmill 1 via acombination of treats dispensed on the dispensing tray 220, images andsounds played on the display 210, and scents emitted by the fragranceassembly 500 through the vents 146. As an example, a treat may bedispensed onto the dispensing tray 220 and pre-recorded sounds may beemitted by the display 210 to lure the pet onto the treadmill 1. Once itis determined that the pet is on the treadmill 1, the left and rightbelts 110 and 120 may rotate. An exercise program, e.g., a forest trail,may play on the display 210, and the fragrance assembly 500 may emit aforest or phytoncide scent. Speeds and inclinations of the left andright belts 110 and 120 may be adjusted in accordance with the exerciseprogram played on the display 210 and also adjusted based on a positionof the pet on the treadmill. Periodically, a treat may be dispensed ontothe dispensing tray 220 to reward the pet for its exercise.

A debris remover 180 may be provided under the base 100 to catch pet furor other debris on the left and right belts 110 and 120. The debrisremover 180 may be covered by a removable bottom cover 151. The bottomcover 151 may be removed so that a user may periodically remove thedebris remover 180 to discard caught debris. The treadmill 1 maytherefore be kept clean by the debris remover 180 on bottom, thedeodorizer 620 behind the vents 146, and the first and secondsterilizing lights 191 and 192 (FIGS. 21 and 22 ) facing the left andright belts 110 and 120 at the back and front ends of the treadmill 1.

Referring to FIGS. 6-10 in more detail, the lower frame 150 of the base100 may be provided under the left and right belts 110 and 120. An upperframe 140 may be coupled to the lower frame 150, and may have an upperopening through which the left and right belts 110 and 120 are exposed.The upper frame 140 may have a front frame or cover 141 provided at thefront end of the base 100 to cover the fragrance assembly 500 and theblower 610 described later with reference to FIGS. 23-27 . The upperframe 140 may further include a back frame or cover 144 provided at theback end of the base 100, and a pair of side walls or side frames 145extending between the front and back frames 141 and 144. The left andright belts 110 and 120 may be exposed between the side frames 145 andthe front and back frames 141 and 144.

The upper and lower frames 140 and 150 may be made of a plastic so thatthe treadmill 1 is lightweight, portable, and easy to manufacture. Theside frames 145 may be bonded or welded to the front and back frames 144and 141 to form the upper frame 140. The upper frame 140 may bepressed-fit or snap-fitted into the lower frame 150. Alternatively, theupper frame 140 may be secured to the lower frame 150 via magneticcoupling, adhesion, locking or latching, etc. The base 100 and left andright belts 110 and 120 may be configured to support a small to mediumsized dog (e.g., 10 kg or 20 lbs or less), but embodiments disclosedherein are not limited thereto.

The left belt 110 may be a closed loop that rotates around left back andfront rollers 111 and 112, and the right belt 120 may be a closed loopthat rotates around right back and front rollers 121 and 122. Therollers 111, 112, 121, and 122 may be configured to grip a bottomsurface of the belt belts 110 and 120 by a friction force or in a gearteeth configuration. The belts 110 and 120 may serve as the primarysurfaces on which a pet exercises.

The back rollers 111 and 121 may be provided at a back end of thetreadmill 1, and the front rollers 112 and 122 may be provided at afront end of the treadmill 1. Each of the rollers 111, 112, 121, and 122may have a cylindrical or pipe shape having a longitudinal directionperpendicular to longitudinal directions of the treadmill 1 and thebelts 110 and 120.

The front rollers 112 and 122 may rotate around and be supported by afront shaft 125 supporting the front rollers 112 and 122, and the backrollers 111 and 121 may rotate around and be supported by a back shaft115. The front shaft 125 may extend between and couple to a front pairof roller frames 142 b, and the back shaft 115 may extend between andcouple to a back pair of roller frames 142 a. The front and back rollerframes 142 b and 142 a may extend downward from the side frames 145.

The front and back shafts 125 and 115 may remain fixed, while the leftrollers 111 and 112 may rotate at a different speed than the rightrollers 121 and 122. The front left and right rollers 112 and 122 maynot be coupled to each other to facilitate independent rotation andseparate left and right speeds, and the back left and right rollers 111and 121 may similarly not be coupled to each other to facilitateindependent rotation and separate left and right speeds.

A right motor 123 may rotate the front right belt 122 around the frontshaft 125 and a left motor 113 may rotate the back left belt 111 aroundthe back shaft 115. The front and back shafts 125 and 115 may remainfixed and may not rotate, and the motors 123 and 113 may only rotate therollers 122 and 111 surrounding the fixed front and back shafts 125 and115, respectively.

Many animals, including humans and pets, have unequal leg lengthsresulting in unequal stride lengths or gait on left and right legs.Humans and animals may naturally veer to the left or right due to gait.To efficiently and safely exercise a pet with unequal stride lengths,the left and right belts 110 and 120 may run at different speeds toaccommodate the unequal pacing of the pet at left and right sides. Theleft belt 110 may rotate at a first speed around back and front rollers111 and 112 provided at back and front ends of the base 100,respectively, and the right belt 120 may rotate at a second speed aroundback and front rollers 121 and 122 provided at back and front ends ofthe base 100, respectively. Textures of the left and right belts 110 and120 may also be configured to accommodate a known gait of the pet, as afaster belt may have more traction. For example, if a speed of the leftbelt 110 is typically adjusted to be faster than a speed of the rightbelt 120 to accommodate gait of the pet, the owner may choose to replacethe left belt 110 with a replacement left belt 110 having greatertraction or friction to prevent slipping.

The divider 130 may be provided between the left and right belts 110 and120 to cover or hide any space or gap between the left and right belts110 and 120 and to prevent a pet from accidentally placing a paw or legin any gap between the left and right belts 110 and 120. The divider 130may also keep a pet's left leg on the left belt 110 and a right leg onthe right belt 120. The divider 130 may prevent the pet from moving toofar to the left or right on the treadmill 1 or prevent the pet fromtripping at higher speeds.

The divider 130 may be easily detachable from the treadmill 1 via, e.g.,a magnet connection. A bottom surface of a front end of the divider 130may have at least one magnet that couples to at least one magnet havingan opposite polarity and provided in a center of the front frame 141 ofthe upper frame 140. A bottom surface of a back end of the divider 130may have at least one magnet that couples to at least one magnet havingan opposite polarity and provided in a center of an upper surface of theback frame 144 of the upper frame 140 of the treadmill 1.

A front portion of the divider 130 may be wider than the rest of thedivider 130 to provide stability. In addition, the front portion of thedivider 130 may include a portion or mount 131 in which left and rightproximity sensors 132 and 133 (e.g., laser sensor, radar sensor, orcamera) may be provided. The proximity sensors 132 and 133 may sense alateral distance (i.e., to the left or right) a pet may be from thedivider 130. A height adjustment of the legs 411 a, 412 a, 421 a, and422 a may be adjusted via the back and left height adjusters 410 and 420according to positions of the pet sensed by the proximity sensors 132and 133. In addition, since the lateral distance may be indicative ofgait, speeds of the left and right belts 110 and 120 may be adjustedbased on the positions of the pet sensed by the proximity sensors 132and 133. Details of the back and left height adjusters 410 and 420 and acontrol process will be described later with reference to FIG. 36 .

The left and right belts 110 and 120 may be easily replaceable withother belts having different textures corresponding to differentexercise programs played through the display 210. For example, the leftand right belts 110 and 120 may have a grassy (e.g., AstroTurf) and/ordirt texture, and the display 210 may show images of a grassy or hillylandscape. As another example, the left and right belts 110 and 120 mayhave a gravel, pavement, or concrete texture to correspond to road orsidewalk programs played on the display 210, respectively, a rocky orpebble texture to correspond to a mountain program played on the display210, and/or a sandy texture (e.g., a GORE-TEX surface covering orholding sand or a rugged or rough surface imitating sand) to correspondto a beach program played on the display 210. The left and right belts110 and 120 may also have a ribbed rubber texture or a texture thatprovides a substantial grip to prevent a pet from slipping.Alternatively or in addition thereto, the left and right belts 110 and120 may have varied textures where, for example, certain portions aregrassy and other portions are sandy to correspond to a program havingvaried terrains played on the display 210.

Regardless of a texture of the left and right belts 110 and 120, theleft and right belts 110 and 120 may be made of an elastic material suchthat a tension is formed when the left and right belts 110 and 120extend between the front rollers 112 and 122 and the back rollers 111and 112, respectively. For the left and right belts 110 and 120 to bereplaceable, the tension of the left and right belts 110 and 120 may beadditionally adjusted via an optional tension adjuster.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the back shaft 115 and back motor 113 may becoupled between left and right back roller frames 142 a (142 a 1 and 142ar in FIGS. 7B and 7C) of the upper frame 140, and the front shaft 125and the front motor motor 123 may be coupled between left and rightfront roller frames 142 b (142 b 1 and 142 br in FIGS. 7B and 7C). Toloosen a tension of the left and right belts 110 and 120, the front andback shafts 125 and 115 may be removed from the front and back rollerframes 142 b and 142 a, respectively. The front and back roller frames142 b and 142 a may be configured to be stretchable or held undertension for removal of the rollers 111, 112, 121, and 122 from the frontand back roller frames 142 b and 142 a. As an alternative, the front andback roller frames 142 b and 142 a may be provided on the lower frame140.

A distance between the front roller frames 142 b from the back rollerframes 142 a may be longer than a length of the closed loop left andright belts 110 and 120 and may be configured such that, when the frontand back shafts 125 and 115 are coupled to the front and back rollerframes 142 b and 142 a, tensions of the left and right belts 110 and 120are at a predetermined tension. The predetermined tension may be strongenough to support a weight (e.g., 8 lbs.) of the pet.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7B, when looking at a side of the upper framewhen viewed from the right, the back right roller tab 142 ar and thefront right roller tab 142 br may be spaced apart by a predetermineddistance that is less than a length of the closed loop left and rightbelts 110 and 120. As shown by the dotted circle near the rear of theupper frame 140, an inner side of the back right roller 142 ar may havea circular groove configured to receive the back shaft 115.

As shown by the dotted circle near the front of the upper frame 140, thefront right roller frame 142 br may have a circular groove or recessconfigured to receive the front motor 123. The circular groove formed inthe front right roller frame 142 br for the front motor 123 may belarger than the circular groove formed in the back right roller frame142 ar.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7C, an orientation of the upper frame 140 isshown when viewed from the left. The front left roller frame 142 b 1 andthe back left roller frame 142 a 1 may be spaced apart by thepredetermined distance.

As shown by the dotted circle near the front of the upper frame 140, thefront left roller frame 142 b 1 may have a circular groove or recessconfigured to receive the front shaft 125. The groove of the front leftroller frame 142 b 1 may face the groove of the front right roller frame142 br (FIG. 7B), which may receive the front motor 123. The groove ofthe front left roller frame 142 b 1 may be smaller than the groove ofthe front right roller frame 142 br (FIG. 7B).

As shown by the dotted circle near the rear of the upper frame 140, aninner side of the back left roller frame 142 a 1 may have a circulargroove configured to receive the back motor 113. The groove of the backleft roller frame 142 a 1 may face the groove of the back right rollerframe 142 ar (FIG. 7B), which may receive the back shaft 115. The grooveof the back left roller frame 142 b 1 may be larger than the groove ofthe back right roller frame 142 ar (FIG. 7B) and the groove of the frontleft roller frame 142 b 1.

As can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the size ofthe grooves on inner sides of the back roller frames 142 a 1 and 142 arand the front roller frames 142 b 1 and 142 br may be modified if anarrangement of the front and back motors 123 and 113 are modified. As analternative, the back roller frames 142 a 1 and 142 ar and the frontroller frames 142 b 1 and 142 br may extend upward from the lower frame120 instead of downward from the upper frame 140.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, referring to FIGS. 11-13 , theremay be an optional roller frame or housing 160 provided inside of thebase 100 to rest on the lower frame 150. The roller frame 160 may havean adjustable length, and the upper and lower frames 140 and 150 mayhave lengths that are longer than a maximum length of the roller frame160.

The roller frame 160 may have a front frame 161 and a back frame 162slideably coupled to the front frame 161. The front frame 161 may housethe front shaft 125 on which the front rollers 112 and 122 are provided,and the back frame 162 may house the back shaft 115 on which the backrollers 111 and 112 are provided. Since the front and back frames 161and 162 are slideably connected, a distance between the front and backshafts 125 and 115 may be adjusted to adjust tensions of the left andright belts 110 and 120. In such an embodiment, the front and backroller frames 142 b and 142 a may be modified to attach to (e.g., clipto or lock to) sides of the roller frames 160 or in addition to thefront and back shafts 125 and 115 and the front and back motors 123 and113. In another embodiment including the roller frame 160, the front andback roller frames 142 b and 142 a may be omitted or serve only tocouple the upper frame 140 to the lower frame 150, and the upper frame140 may have a separate tab or frame to attach to the roller frame 160.

Each of the front and back frames 161 and 162 may be formed of left andright plates or walls. The front right roller 122 may be inserted intoan opening provided on an inner right side of the front frame 161, andthe front left roller 112 may be inserted into a recess or grooveprovided on an inner left side of the front frame 161. The right motor123 may be provided on an outer right side of the front frame 161 toinsert into the opening and couple to the front right roller 122. Theback right roller 121 may be inserted into a recess or groove providedon an inner right side of the back frame 162, and the back left roller111 may be inserted into an opening provided on an inner left side ofthe back frame 162. The left motor 113 may be provided on an outer leftside of the back frame 162 to insert into the opening and couple to theback left roller 111.

The front frame 161 may include an extension 161 a extending from aninner end of the front frame 161 and inserted into a hole provided in aninner end of the back frame 162. The back frame 162 may similarlyinclude an extension 162 a extending from the inner end of the backframe 162 and inserted into a hole provided in the inner end of the backframe 162. The extension 161 a of the front frame 161 may, for example,extend from an upper side of the inner end of the front frame 161, andthe hole of the back frame 162 may be provided in an upper side of theinner end of the back frame 162. The extension 162 a of the back frame162 may extend from a lower side of the inner end of the back frame 162,and the hole of the front frame 161 may be provided in a lower side ofthe inner end of the front frame 161.

A gear or dial 163 may be provided between the extensions 161 a and 162a. The dial 163 may include gear teeth provided on an outercircumferential surface to correspond to gear teeth provided on lowersurfaces of the extensions 161 a and 162 a that contact the dial 163.When the dial 163 is turned in a first direction, the extension 161 amay be pulled forward out of the hole of the back frame 162, theextension 162 a may be pulled backward out of the hole of the frontframe 161, and the length of the roller frame 160 may be increased. Whenthe dial 163 is turned in a second direction opposite of the firstdirection, the extension 161 a may be inserted backward into the hole ofthe back frame 162, the extensions 162 a may be inserted forward intothe hole of the front frame 161, and the length of the roller frame 160may be decreased. There may be two sets of dials 163 and extensions 161a and 162 a corresponding to left and right sides of the roller frame160. The dials 163 may be operated automatically via a motor, or may beoperated manually. A locking mechanism may be provided in the dial 163,the extensions 161 a and 162 a, and/or the holes of the front and backframes 161 and 162 to maintain a length of the roller frame 160 afteradjustment.

There may be a plurality of rollers 165 and/or 166 extending betweeninner sides of the front and back frames 161 and 162, and a central pairof left and right rollers 167 and 168 coupled to the dials 163. Whenthere are left and right belts 110 and 120, there may be a plurality ofleft rollers 165 provided between the left front and back rollers 112and 111 and a plurality of right rollers 166 provided between the rightfront and back rollers 122 and 121. The pairs of left and right rollers165 and 166 may be provided on single fixed shafts around which the leftand right rollers 165 and 166 freely rotate.

The central pair of left and right rollers 167 and 168 may not becoupled to the front or back frame 161 or 162 and may remain stationaryduring a length adjustment process of the roller frame 160. When thelength of the roller frame 160 is increased, pairs of left and rightrollers 165 and 166 coupled to the front and back frames 161 and 162 maymove further away from the central pair of left and right rollers 167and 168. When the length of the roller frame 160 is decreased, pairs ofleft and right rollers 165 and 166 coupled to the front and back frames161 and 162 may move closer to the central pair of left and rightrollers 167 and 168. The plurality of left and right rollers 165 and 166may support a weight of the pet (small, medium, or large pets) using thetreadmill 1.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7 and 14-15 , the upper frame 140 may include ahandle mount opening 143, and the lower frame 150 may include a handlemount 153. The handle mount opening 143 may be an opening formed in aside surface of the side wall 145 (FIG. 7 ) having a size and shape thatcorresponds to a size and shape of the handle mount 153, which mayextend upward from a sidewall of the lower frame 150. The handle mount153 may be provided in the handle mount opening 143 when the upper frame140 is coupled to the lower frame 150.

The handle 300 may be coupled (e.g., hinged) to the handle mount 153.Referring to FIG. 2 , the handle 300 may include a handle bottom or side310 hinged to the handle mount 153, a handle top 320, and a sensorassembly 330 having a handle sensor 331 (e.g., camera, image sensor, orinfrared or laser sensor) coupled to a bottom surface of the handle top320. A user may lift the treadmill 1 by the handle 300 to reposition ormove the treadmill 1.

The handle sensor 331 may detect a pet present on the treadmill 1. Thehandle sensor 331 may provide positional information of the pet to amain controller of a control module 640 (FIGS. 22 and 23 ). The handlesensor 331 may use a camera to sense both a height of the pet and aforward-backward position on the left and right belts 110 and 120. Thesensor assembly 330 may have a sub-PCB and/or a communication modulethat communicates with a communication module of the control module 640described later. The motors 113 and 123 may be controlled according to asensed forward-backward position of the pet on the left and right belts110 and 120, and a height of the handle 300 may be controlled accordingto a sensed height of the pet. An inclination of the display 210described later may also be controlled according to a sensed height orposition of the pet.

The handle sensor 331 may sense whether a pet is within a predetermineddistance range from the handle 300. If the handle sensor 331 senses thata pet is too far forward (or beyond a first predetermined position infront of the handle 300), the main controller may control the motors 113and 123 of the rollers 111 and 122, respectively, to speed up a rotationso that a speed of the left and right belts 110 and 120 is increased andso that the pet may not accidentally walk off the left and right belts110 and 120. If the handle sensor 331 senses that a pet is too farbackward (or behind a second predetermined position in front of thehandle 300), the main controller may control the motors 113 and 123 ofthe rollers 111 and 122, respectively, to slow down a rotation so that aspeed of the left and right belts 110 and 120 is reduced and so that thepet may not be injured or slide off the left and right belts 110 and120.

The handle bottom 310 may include an outer frame 311, an inner frame 312coupled to the outer frame 311, and a base frame 313 coupled to asliding frame 314 and provided between the inner and outer frames 312and 311. The sliding frame 314 may be coupled to the handle top 320and/or a bottom frame 321 of the handle top 320. The sliding frame 314may slide relative to the base frame 313 to raise a height of the handletop 320. The base frame 313 and sliding frame 314 may be collectivelyreferred to as a middle frame.

The sliding frame 314 may have a lower side 314 b that couples to a gearor roller 313 b provided on an upper end of the base frame 313. Thelower side 314 b of the sliding frame 314 may be narrower than an upperside of the sliding frame 314 coupled to the handle top 320. A surfaceof the lower side 314 b that contacts the gear 313 b may have teeth, andthe teeth of the lower side 314 b of the sliding frame 314 maycorrespond to teeth provided on an outer circumference of the gear 313 bof the base frame 313. A lower end of the base frame 313 may include amotor 313 a, which may rotate a belt coupled to the gear 313 b. The gear313 b may rotate to move the lower side 314 b of the sliding frame 314up or down via the teeth of the gear 313 b and the lower side 314 b.There may be a stopper or rib provided on a lower end of the lower side314 b of the sliding frame 314 to prevent the sliding frame 314 frombeing detached from the base frame 313.

An inner surface of the inner frame 312 may include a stopper flange 312b having a first end and a second end. The stopper flange 312 b may be araised or protruding portion around an edge of a lower side of the innerframe 312. The first end may prevent the lower side 314 b of the slidingframe 314 from being slid further down the base frame 313, while thesecond end may be at a height higher than the first end to prevent alower portion of the upper side of the sliding frame 314 from being slidfurther down the base frame 313. A height difference between the firstand second ends of the stopper flange 312 b may be equal to heightdifference between the lower end of the lower side 314 b of the slidingframe 314 and a lower end of the upper side of the sliding frame 314. Acontact between the handle top 320 and upper ends of the inner and outerframes 312 and 311 may also prevent the sliding frame 314 from beingslid further down the base frame 313.

The sliding frame 314 may be slid manually by a user lifting the handletop 320, or may be slid automatically via a motor 313 a provided at abottom end of the base frame 313. The motor 313 a may raise or lower aheight of the handle top 320 based on a sensed height of the pet by thehandle sensor 331.

The inner and outer frames 312 and 311 may include holes 312 a and 311a, respectively, that surround an outer circumference of the motor 313a. Alternatively, the hole 311 a may be a cavity or recess formed in theouter frame 311 to accommodate the motor 313 a. The base frame 313 mayinclude a hinge shaft on a side opposite to a side where the motor 313 ais provided, and the hinge shaft may penetrate through the hole 312 a ofthe inner frame 312 to couple to a hinge hole provided in the handlemount 153. The handle 300 may rotate via the hinge shaft of the baseframe 313 and hinge hole of the handle mount 153. There may be anoptional motor provided in the handle mount 153 to automatically rotatethe handle bottom 310 between a first or storage position and a secondor exercise position.

Lengths of the sliding frame 314, base frame 313, and inner and outerframes 312 and 311 may be configured such that when the sliding frame314 is slid away from the base frame 313 by a maximum amount, the handle300 may fit around the front ends (or alternatively, the back ends) ofthe upper and lower frames 140 and 150. The treadmill 1 may beconveniently stored when the handle 300 is rotated so that the outer,inner, base, and sliding frames 311, 312, 313, and 314 are provided tobe parallel to a longitudinal length of the lower frame 150. A user maycarry the treadmill 1 by holding onto the upper and lower frames 140 and150 when the handle top 320 is folded or by grabbing the handle top 320in such a folded position.

When the handle 300 is folded to a first position, the treadmill 1 maybe activated to be in a storage state. The handle bottom 310 may beparallel to a side of the base 100. In the storage state, variousdevices (e.g., the blower 610, thermoelectric cooling assembly 630, andthe fragrance assembly 500) may be turned off to save power and preventunintended scents from being emitted. The photocatalytic deodorizer 622and sterilizing lights 191 and 192 described later may be activated inthe storage state to deodorize the treadmill 1.

When the handle 300 is unfolded and rotated to a second position, thetreadmill 1 may be activated to be in an exercise state. The cover 151that covers the debris remover 180 may be coupled to the base 100 at aposition that aligns with the handle mount 153, and sides of the cover151 may be configured to prevent the handle 300 from rotating past thesecond position or past the first position. Sides of the cover 151 mayserve as stoppers that limit the handle 300 within a rotation rangedefined by the first and second positions.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 16-19 , the treadmill 1 may further include adebris remover 180 provided under an opening 152 of the lower frame 150.The debris remover 180 may be configured to scrape off and collect petfur and other debris on the left and right belts 110 and 120. Theopening 152 of the lower frame 150 may be formed in a bottom surface ofthe lower frame 150, and may be partially formed in side surfaces of thelower frame 150. A shape and size of the opening 152 may correspond to ashape and size of the debris remover 180.

A cover 151 may be provided to be detachable from the lower frame 150 tocover the debris remover 180 and the opening 152. When the user removesthe cover 151, the user may remove the debris remover 180 to dispose ofany debris caught by the debris remover 180. Sides of the cover 151 mayhave a curvature that corresponds to an outer contour of the sidesurfaces of the lower frame 150. The sides of the cover 151 may extendupward to be snap-fitted onto the side surfaces of the lower frame 150.A first end (e.g., a front end) of the cover 151 may have side surfacesthat extend higher than side surfaces of a second end (e.g., a backend).

The cover 151 may have a recess formed in a bottom surface in which thedebris remover 180 may be inserted. A shape and size of the recess ofthe cover 151 may correspond to a shape and size of an outer contour ofbottom and side surfaces of the debris remover 180. Sides of the cover151 may have a curvature configured to correspond with a curvature of anouter side surface of the lower frame 150 of the base 100. The cover 151may have a first edge and a second edge that is higher than the firstedge. An angled edge may extend between the first and second edges. Thehandle bottom 310 may be mounted to the base 100 at a position adjacentto the angled edge. The first edge may maintain the handle bottom 310 ina position that is parallel to the side of the base 100, and may limit aposition of the handle bottom 310 past the first position. The anglededge may maintain the handle bottom 310 in an upright position where thehandle top 320 crosses over the left and right belts 110 and 120, andmay limit a position of the handle bottom 310 past the second position.At the second position, the handle bottom 310 may be positioned at apredetermined angle away from a rear of the base 100. The predeterminedangle may be an obtuse angle with respect to the rear of the base 100 oran acute angle with respect to the front of the base 100.

The debris remover 180 may be a rectangular hollow container or trayhaving an opening or hole 183 through which hair, fur, lint, or otherdebris may enter. A height of the debris remover 180 may be configuredso as to rest below the left and right belts 110 and 120 withoutcontacting the floor. The opening 183 may be provided on a protrudingportion of the debris remover 180 that extends upward toward the leftand right belts 110 and 120, which may be exposed to the debris remover180 via the opening 152 in the lower frame 150. The protruding portionof the debris remover 180 may have an angled edge close to or in contactwith the left and right belts 110 and 120. When a pet sheds hair ontothe left and right belts 110 and 120, the protruding portion of thedebris remover 180 may scrape or brush off the hair, and the hair mayfall into the opening 183.

The protruding portion of the debris remover 180 may include a surfaceor scraper 184 configured to scrape debris off of the left and rightbelts 110 and 120 and induce a static charge, such as fabric, felt,sweeper, or a brush (e.g., microbrush, fine brush, or bristle brush) tocatch hair and debris. For convenience of description, the surface orscraper 184 will be referred to as a brush 184. The brush 184 may alsoionize the left and right belts 110 and 120 so that more hair may clingto the left and right belts 110 and 120 via static electricity insteadof falling onto the lower frame 150 before reaching the opening 152 andthe debris remover 180. The brush 184 and/or bristles of the brush 184may have a stiffness that is sufficient to grab hair and clean a bottomsurface of the left and right belts 110 and 120.

The opening 183 and brush 184 may be formed at an end end of the debrisremover 180 to catch debris on a bottom section of the outer surfaces ofthe left and right belts 110 and 120, which may be moving in a backwarddirection (i.e., from a rear of the base 100 toward a front of the base100) when a top section of the outer surfaces of the left and rightbelts 110 and 120 are moving in a forward direction (i.e., from thefront of the base 100 toward the rear of the base 100) during anexercise program. The brush 184 may be provided on a leading edge of theopening 183 with respect to a movement of the bottom section of theouter surfaces of the left and right belts 110 and 120. The brush 184and the opening 183 may extend below both the left and right belts 110and 120.

The debris remover 180 may include a lower frame 181 and an upper frame182. The upper frame 182 may include the opening 183, and may bepressed-fit onto the lower frame 181. The lower frame 181 may include acavity or space in which hair is stored, and the upper frame 182 mayclose the space. The lower frame 181 may further include a recess 181 bformed in a bottom surface. The recess 181 b may optionally serve as atray to hold a film of water or gel and to capture hair or debrisreceived through the opening 183 and prevent hair from escaping out ofthe opening 183. Optional vents 181 a and 151 a may be formed at ends(e.g., front ends) of the bottom frame 181 and the cover 151,respectively, to drain any excess water or gel in the recess 181 b.

A user may remove the cover 151 from the lower frame 150 to access thedebris remover 180. The debris remover 180 may be removed from under thelower frame 150, and the user may separate the upper frame 182 from thelower frame 181 to empty the contents collected in the space of thedebris remover 180. The user may also replace or refill water in therecess 181 b.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 19 , a back height adjuster 410 may controllengths of back left and right legs 411 a and 412 a to control a backinclination of the treadmill 1. The back height adjuster 410 may beprovided on the back end of the lower frame 150 under the back frame 141of the upper frame 140. The back frame 144 of the upper frame 140 may beprovided on a top surface of a rear frame or shield 414 of the backheight adjuster 410. The back left and right legs 411 a and 412 a may beinserted through holes provided on back corners of a bottom surface ofthe lower frame 140.

The back height adjuster 410 may adjust the back left and right legs 411a and 412 a via air suspension, as oil or other liquid used in hydraulicmovement may interfere with a scent or smell released by the fragranceassembly 500. However, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited toair suspension methods. The back height adjuster 410 may include leftand right air suspension compressors and pumps to independently adjust aheight of the back left and right legs 411 a and 412 a, respectively.The back height adjuster 410 may include left and right air tanks 411and 412, and at least one printed circuit board to independently controlthe left and right air tanks 411 and 412 and therefore a heightadjustment of the left and right legs 411 a and 412 a based on signalsreceived from the main controller of the control module 640.

The left and right air tanks 411 and 412 may be coupled to a back sideof the rear shield 414 of the back height adjuster 410. The rear shield414 may serve as a frame that separates the back height adjuster 410from the back rollers 111 and 121. The rear shield 414 may be fixed tothe lower frame 150 so that when lengths of the back left and right legs411 a and 412 a are lengthened, respective corners of the lower frame150 are lifted to adjust an inclination of the treadmill 1.

The left and right legs 411 a and 412 a of the back height adjuster 410may each include an inner or lower pipe or piston inserted into an outeror upper pipe. The outer pipe may be fixed to the height adjuster 410and/or the lower frame 150. When the left air suspension compressor andpump is driven to pump air from the left air tank 411, the inner pistonmay be driven downward, and the outer pipe may rise relative to theinner piston to lift the left corner of the treadmill 1. An overlappinglength of the inner piston and outer pipe may decrease during a liftingprocess, while the overlapping length is increased during a loweringprocess where the outer pipe may lower onto the inner piston as theinner piston is inserted further into the outer pipe.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 20 , a front side of the rear shield 414 of theback height adjuster 410 may include a roller cover 194 to partiallycover and/or divide the back rollers 111 and 121 from the back left andright air tanks 411 and 412. The back roller cover 194 may have aconcave curvature so as not to interfere with a rotation of the backrollers 111 and 121. Similarly, side surfaces of the rear shield 414 ofthe back height adjuster 410 may have a curved shape or concave openingso as not to interfere with a rotation of the back rollers 111 and 121.

The left and right belts 110 and 120 may collect sweat, slobber, orbacteria during exercise. The left and right belts 110 and 120 may besterilized or cleaned by back and front sterilizing lights 191 and 192provided at the back and front ends of the treadmill 1, respectively.The back and front sterilizing lights 191 and 192 may face the left andright belts 110 and 120, and may sterilize a greater portion of the leftand right belts 110 and 120 as the left and right belts 110 and 120move. The back and front sterilizing lights 191 and 192 may operate in astorage mode, for a predetermined sterilization time period, orperiodically at set intervals.

The back sterilizing light 191 may include at least one ultraviolet (UV)light emitting diode (LED). For convenience of description, the backsterilizing light 191 will be referred to as a back UV LED 191. The backUV LED 191 may emit UV light configured to kill or inactivate bacteriaor other microorganisms, such as UV-C light (e.g., light having awavelength between 220-280 nm).

The back UV LED 191 may be provided on a front surface of a rear frameor shield 414 of the back height adjuster 410 to face the back left andright rollers 111 and 121. The rear shield 414 may have a top plate orportion configured to prevent UV light from being irradiated upward oroutside of the upper frame 140. The back UV LED 191 may be providedabove the roller cover 194. The roller cover 194 may include asub-printed circuit board (PCB) to control an operation of the back UVLED 191 and/or a height adjustment of the left and right legs 411 a and412 a. The back UV LED 191 may have a length extending in a longitudinaldirection of the back left and right rollers 111 and 121, and may beprovided at a center such that a left portion of the back UV LED 191sterilizes the left belt 110, and a right portion of the back UV LED 191sterilizes the right belt 120.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 21 , the front sterilizing light 192 maysimilarly include at least one UV LED. For convenience of description,the front sterilizing light 192 will be referred to as a front UV LED.The front UV LED 192 may emit UV light configured to kill or inactivatebacteria or other microorganisms, such as UV-C light (e.g., light havinga wavelength between 220-280 nm). The front UV LED 192 may be providedon a back surface of a front roller cover 193. Like the back rollercover 194, the front roller cover 193 may separate the front rollers 112and 112 from a front portion of the base 100 including the blower 610and the fragrance assembly 500 described later. The front roller cover193 may have side surfaces that are curved or have concave openings soas not to interfere with a rotation of the front rollers 112 and 122.

The front UV LED 192 may have a length extending in a longitudinaldirection of the front left and right rollers 112 and 122, and may beprovided at a center of the front roller cover 193 such that a leftportion of the front UV LED 192 may sterilize the left belt 110 and aright portion of the front UV LED 192 may sterilize the right belt 120.The front UV LED 192 may be provided in an upper portion or side of thefront roller cover 193, while a PCB may be optionally provided in alower side of the front roller cover 193 to control an operation of thefront UV LED 192. A shape of the front roller cover 193 may beconfigured to prevent UV light from being irradiated upward or outsideof the upper frame 140.

The front roller cover 193 may divide the left and right belts 110 and120 from a space under the front frame 141 that includes the fragranceassembly 500, the blower 610, and the front height adjuster 420 (seeFIG. 4 ). Referring to FIGS. 6, 22 , and 23, the front height adjuster420 may operate similarly to the back height adjuster 410 via airsuspension. The front height adjuster 420 may include front left andright legs 421 a and 422 a that are independently controlled by left andright air suspension compressors and pumps and at least one printedcircuit board. The front height adjuster 420 may include left and rightair tanks 421 and 422, and the printed circuit board may independentlycontrol the left and right air tanks 421 and 422 based on signalsreceived from the main controller of the control module 640.

Each of the front left and right legs 421 a and 422 a may include anouter or upper pipe or piston and an inner or lower pipe. When an airpressure is applied by, e.g., the left air tank 421, the outer pipe ofthe front left leg 421 a may rise relative to the inner pipe or pistonto raise a height of the front left leg 421 a and therefore a front leftcorner of the treadmill 1.

The four legs 411 a, 412 a, 421 a, and 422 a of the treadmill 1 may beprovided at or near corners of the base 100 and independently controlledso that a tilt or inclination of the treadmill 1 may be varied andcustomized according to a program played on the display 210. The frontleft and right legs 421 a and 422 a may extend from a lower surface ofthe front support 420. When a height of at least one of the front rightand left legs 421 a and/or 422 a is adjusted, heights of correspondingcorners or sides of the upper and lower frames 140 and 150 may also beadjusted.

For example, the front height adjuster 420 may raise, via the front leftand right air suspensions compressors and pumps, the front left andright legs 421 a and 422 a by equal amounts to create a constantinclination of the treadmill 1 to correspond to, for example, a hillprogram. As another example, the front height adjuster 420 may raise,via the front right air suspension compressor and pump, only the frontright leg 422 a, and the back height adjuster 410 may raise, via theback left air suspension compressor and pump, only the back left leg 411a to simulate a rocky or mountain terrain.

A front support 423 on which the left and right air tanks 421 and 422 ofthe front height adjuster 420 may be provided in front of the blower610. A stand 424 may be coupled to the front support 423. The frontframe 141 of the front support 420 may be provided on an upper surfaceof the front support 423 to cover the left and right air tanks 421 and422. The front end of the lower frame 150 may also be securely fixed(e.g., bonded or welded) to sides of the front support 423. The stand424 may serve as a base or support when the treadmill 1 is stored (seeFIG. 5B). The stand 424 may be coupled to a display mount 211 describedlater when the attachment module 200 is attached.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 22-24 , the blower 610 may be a radial bladedfan or wheel 610 provided at a front of the treadmill 1. The deodorizer620 and the thermoelectric cooling assembly 630 may also be provided atthe front of the treadmill 1. The blower 610 may be a tangential fan orcross-flow blower to disperse scents from the fragrance assembly 500,disperse cool or warm air from the thermoelectric cooling assembly 630,and/or disperse air deodorized by the photocatalytic deodorizer 622 ofthe deodorizer 620. The blower 610 may have a cylindrical shape and alength corresponding to a length of the front frame 144 and/or a lengthcorresponding to a length of the vents 146 to facilitate laminar airflow through the vents 146.

The thermoelectric cooling assembly 630 may include a thermoelectriccooler (TEC) or Peltier device 633. Above and below the Peltier device633 may be top and bottom heat sinks 634 and 632, respectively. The topand bottom heat sinks 634 and 632 may each have a heat dissipation plateprovided on the Peltier device 633, and may have radiating finsextending upward and downward, respectively, from the heat dissipationplates of the top and bottom heat sinks 634 and 632.

The Peltier device 633 may electrically connect to a control module 640described later, and may receive a current to cool or warm air dispersedthrough the vents 146 by the blower 610. When a voltage is applied tothe Peltier device 633, heat may be transferred from a first side (e.g.,upper side) to a second side (e.g., bottom side) such that there is atemperature difference between the first and second sides.

A fan 631 may be provided below the bottom heat sink 634 and abovedischarge holes 154 (FIG. 5B) provided in a bottom surface of the lowerframe 150. A motor may rotate a shaft of the fan 631 to exhaust hot airduring a cooling process (or alternatively, cool air in a heatingprocess) dissipated by the bottom heat sink 634 through the dischargeholes 154.

During a cooling process, the upper side of the Peltier device 633 maybecome cold, causing the top heat sink 632 to become cold, resulting ina drop in temperature of the ambient air, which is blown by the blower610. The bottom side of the Peltier device 633 may become hot, causingthe bottom heat sink 634 to become hot, resulting in an increasedtemperature of the ambient air, which his exhausted out of the dischargeholes 154 by the fan 610. During a heating process, the upper side ofthe Peltier device 633 may become hot, and hot air near the top heatsink 632 may be drawn through the vents 146 via the blower 610. Thebottom side of the Peltier device 633 may become cold, and cold air maybe exhausted out of the discharge holes 154 via the fan 610.

A temperature of the pet may be sensed by the handle sensor 331 and/orthe left and right proximity sensors 132 and 133, which may include aninfrared sensor or a thermometer. Alternatively or in addition thereto,there may be another optional temperature sensor. During exercise, atemperature of the pet and/or ambient air may be maintained, via anoperation of the Peltier device 633, at a predetermined temperature ortemperature range. As an example, the ambient air above the left andright belts 110 and 120 and/or surrounding the treadmill 1 may bemaintained at a temperature between 15-18° C. or between 59-65° F.

The fan 631 may rotate at a greater speed than the blower 610 and maygenerate a greater airflow than the blower 610. There may be two sets offans 631, Peltier device 633, and top and bottom heat sinks 634 and 632corresponding to left and right sides of the treadmill 1. Positions ofthe fan 631, Peltier device 633, top and bottom heat sinks 634 and 632,blower 610, and vents 146 may be configured so that warm or cool air maybe drawn by the blower 610 and dispersed through the vents 146.

The deodorizer 620 may neutralize pollutants or odor particles in theair above the left and right belts 110 and 120. The deodorizer 620 mayinclude two LED modules 623 protruding from a photocatalyst housing 624and oriented toward a photocatalytic deodorizer 622. The LED modules 623may each include at least one light emitting diode and emit light of avisible wavelength of a specific color temperature, e.g., 1,000-10,000kelvin, on the photocatalytic deodorizer 622. Alternatively, the LEDmodules 623 may emit UV light. The photocatalyst housing 624 may beprovided to house and surround the photocatalytic deodorizer 622. Thephotocatalyst housing 624 may have an opening or hole through which thephotocatalytic deodorizer 622 is exposed toward the LED modules 623.

A bottom surface or side of the LED modules 623 may be coupled to anupper surface of the photocatalyst housing 624, and the LED modules 623may be positioned to be inclined so that the light emitting diode mayemit light toward the photocatalytic deodorizer 622. The LED modules 623may have a length less than or equal to a length of the sides of thephotocatalyst housing 624 on which they are mounted.

The photocatalytic deodorizer 622 may be made of or coated in a materialhaving strong oxidizing properties (e.g., titanium or titanium dioxide(TiO₂)) so when the LED modules 623 shine light on the photocatalyticdeodorizer 622, the photocatalytic deodorizer 622 may be activated torelease or emit electrons or ions that react with the air at or near thetreadmill 1 to break apart pollutants. The blower 610 may disperse theemitted ions through the vents 146 to deodorize air outside of the base100. The deodorizer 620 may remove odors from the air around thetreadmill 1 and/or a pet or pet odor remaining on the treadmill afterthe pet has exercised or while the pet is exercising. The deodorizer 620may operate when the treadmill 1 is not being used and the fragranceassembly 500 is in a closed state so as not to emit any scents orfragrances, which can be neutralized by the ions.

The control module 640 may also be provided in the space between thefront roller cover 193 and the second height adjuster 420. The controlmodule 640 may be provided under the photocatalytic deodorizer 622, andmay include a main controller on a main printed circuit board (PCB) thatcontrols a power supply to the motors of the fans 631, the motor 313 aof the handle 300, an operation of the display 210, etc. The controlmodule 640 may further include an alternating current/direct current(AC/DC) converter to convert external AC power to DC power to power thefans 631, motor 313 a, display 210, UV LEDs 191 and 192, LED modules623, etc. External power may be applied to a terminal or socket providedon the base 100 of the treadmill 1. The terminal or socket may beprovided at the front end of the base 100 and may be electricallycoupled to the control module 640.

The control module 640 may have a communication module to communicatewith communication modules of other devices (e.g., communication modulesof the back and front height adjusters 410 and 420 or in the sensorassembly 330 of the handle 300). The communication module of the controlmodule 640 may also communicate with a server, and/or may include a WiFior Bluetooth module so that a user (e.g., pet owner) may control thetreadmill 1 from a mobile or web application. Through a web/mobileapplication, the owner's image/video and voice may be provided on thedisplay 210 with audio, and an embedded camera and microphone on thedisplay 210 may be used to transmit the pet's image/video to a mobile orremote device (e.g., computer or mobile phone) via the communicationmodule.

The communication module of the control module 640 may also interactwith a pet pendant or pet identification tag having a GPS tracker. Whenthe main controller determines that the owner is away (based on GPS datafrom the owner's phone) but that the pet is still at home (based on GPSdata from the GPS tracker in the pet pendant), the treadmill 1 may turnon the display 210, dispense treats on the dispensing tray 220, or emitsmells or scents via the fragrance assembly 500 to lure the pet to thetreadmill 1. A luring and rewards process will be described in moredetail later after describing the fragrance assembly 500 and display210.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 25-26 , the fragrance assembly 500 may includea cartridge 504 having a plurality of scent modules 505 provided in thecartridge 504. The cartridge 504 may be provided in an inner case 502having an opening 502 a through which the scent modules 505 are exposed,and the cartridge 504 may rotate to expose a particular scent module 505through the opening 502 a of the inner case 502. The blower 610 mayrotate to disperse a scent and/or fragrance from the exposed scentmodule 505 through the vents 146 and to a pet using the treadmill 1.

The cartridge 504 may be divided into sections by tabs or walls, anddifferent scent modules 505 may be provided in different sections of thecartridge 504. Shapes of the scent modules 505 may correspond to shapesof the sections of the cartridge 504 in which the scent modules 505 areinserted. As exemplified in the figures, the cartridge 504 may be formedby four vertical walls perpendicular to each other and intersecting at acenter to create four 90° corners. Side ends of the cartridge 504 mayeach have a circular cap.

The four vertical walls may have a length that is parallel to a lengthof the blower 610. The scent modules 505 may have a length equal to orless than the length of the four vertical walls. As exemplified in thefigures, the scent modules 505 may resemble elongated wedges having 90°corners that are inserted into the corners created by the four verticalwalls, and having a curved or arc-shaped circumference to match acurvature of the cap provided at the sides of the cartridge 504. Whenthe scent modules 505 are inserted into the cartridge 504, the cartridge504 and the scent modules 505 may together form a cylinder.

The scent modules 505 may be made of a scented oil, wax, or gel that isin a primarily solid state that vaporizes when a temperature is slightlyrisen and/or emits scented vapor or fragrances. Alternatively, the scentmodules 505 may be made of an absorbent or sponge-like material (e.g.,felt) that is soaked in a liquid fragrance material. The blower 610 maydraw out and disperse the scent provided by the scent modules 505. Aspets may be sensitive to smell, the blower 610 may draw out the scentprovided from the scent modules 505 instead of blowing or pushing thescents from behind the fragrance assembly 500. Such a configuration ofthe blower 610, fragrance assembly 500, and vents 146 may reduce apossibility of mixing smells. In addition, an outer layer of each scentmodule 505 may have an optional neutral smelling or protective layer toserve as a barrier, and the scent released from the scent module 505 maybe stronger or dispersed further when the blower 610 rotates, and may beweaker or not dispersed very far when the blower 610 stops rotating.

As an example, the cartridge 504 may hold a first scent module 505 thatemits a flower flagrance to correspond to a video displaying flowersalong a road or trail played on the display, a second scent module 505that emits a sea or beach fragrance to correspond to a seaside or beachvideo played on the display, a third scent module 505 that emitsphytoncide or a forest fragrance to correspond to a forest or woodsthemed video played on the display, and a fourth scent module 505 thatemits no fragrance or a neutral fragrance. Alternatively, a fourthsection of the cartridge 504 may not include a fourth scent module 505and may remain empty.

The cartridge 504 may be placed between two side supports 503 a and 503b, and the cartridge 504 and the side supports 503 a and 503 b may beplaced in the inner case 502. At least one of the side supports 503 a or503 b may include a motor to rotate the cartridge 504. In FIG. 26 , sidesupport 503 b includes a motor. The inner case 502 may have a hollow,truncated cylinder shape. The inner case 502 may have an opening 502 athat is cut into a bottom or side surface, and the opening 502 a mayhave a shape that corresponds to a shape of one scent module 505. Theopening 502 a may be slightly smaller than the shape of the scent module505 (e.g., the opening 502 a may have an 88° corner) so that no otherscents from other scent modules 505 may be exposed through the opening502 a.

The cartridge 504 may rotate so that only one scent module 505 isexposed through the opening 502 a. A rotation of the cartridge 504 maybe automatic via the motor, and a fragrance emitted by the fragranceassembly 500 to the pet may be changed by a change of an exposed scentmodule 505 via a rotation of the cartridge 504. For example, the firstscent module 505 having a flower or floral fragrance may be exposedthrough the opening 502 a when a flower program or flowery road isplayed on the display 210. When the display 210 changes to show a forestscene, the cartridge 504 may rotate in the inner case 502 until thethird scent module 505 emitting a phontycide or forest scent is exposedthrough the opening 502 a.

The cartridge 504 may rotate to expose the blank, fourth scent module505 to close the fragrance assembly 500. The cartridge 504 may berotated to expose the fourth scent module 505 when the treadmill 1 is ina storage state, when the treadmill 1 is not being used, and/or when thedeodorizer 620 is operated. Therefore, the other odors of the scentmodules 505 will not break down by the ions emitted by thephotocatalytic deodorizer 622. Alternatively, the opening 502 a may beclosed by an optional automatic gate provided in the inner case 502 a.

The inner case 502 holding the cartridge 504 may be placed into thecartridge case 501. The cartridge case 501 may have a truncated cylindershape. A cover or lid 506 may be configured to close a flat or truncatedupper opening of the cartridge case 501 so that unintended fragrances donot escape or are not emitted toward the pet using the treadmill 1. Thecover 506 may be pressed fit onto the cartridge case 501, and may havegrooves or recesses formed in an upper surface in which a user may wedgea finger or nail to remove the cover 506 from the cartridge case 501 toaccess the cartridge 504. The cartridge 504 may be formed to be durable,and the scent modules 505 may be easily removed from the cartridge 504and replaced. Alternatively, the cartridge 504 may be formed integrallywith the scent modules 505, and may be disposed and replaced when thescent modules run out of fragrance.

Although not shown, a lower or side surface of the cartridge case 501may have an opening or vents at a position that corresponds to aposition of the opening 502 a of the inner case 502 so that fragrance orscent from an exposed scent module 505 may be dispersed to the vents 146via the blower 610.

The scents released by the fragrance assembly 500 may be coded intoinformation that is part of a predetermined exercise program such thatat certain time intervals, certain scents are released. Content on thedisplay 210 may also be part of the predetermined exercise program, andthe fragrance assembly 500 and content on the display 210 may correspondto each other as time progresses.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 27 , the attachment module 200 may include adisplay 210 to play videos or exercise programs or display a userinterface to manually control an operation by the user. The display 210may include at least one speaker and a camera. Content played on thedisplay 210 may be frequently changed so as to continue to stimulate thepet.

The attachment module 200 may further include a display mount 211, acontainer 230 to hold food or treats, a lid 231 (FIG. 3 ) that may beremoved to refill the container 230 with treats, and a dispensing tray220 on which treats from the container 230 may be dispensed. Thedispensing tray 220 may include a tray or dispensing container 221 whichmay couple to the container 230 and support the display mount 211, andan attachment base 240 that couples to the dispensing tray 220 and thetray container 221 to the stand 424 of the second height adjuster 420.The display 210, display mount 211, container 230, dispensing tray 220,tray container 221, and attachment base 240 may be removable, and a usermay choose to only attach, as an example the display 210 and theattachment base 240.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 8, 27, and 28A, the attachment base 240 may be aplate having a rectangular or square shape. A lower side or portion ofthe attachment base 240 may be coupled to an upper side or portion ofthe stand 424. As shown in FIG. 8 , the lower side of a back surface ofthe attachment base 240 may have a protrusion which may be inserted intoa recess or groove provided in an upper side of a front surface of thestand 424. The recess or groove of the stand 424 may have a recessedcylindrical shape corresponding to a cylindrical shape of the protrusionof the attachment base 240. The protrusion of the attachment base 240may be pressed-fit into the recess of the stand 424 to be removable sothat the entire attachment assembly 200 may be removed from thetreadmill 1.

The tray container 221 may have an upper hole or opening thatcommunicates with a bottom hole or opening of the container 230. Thetray container 221 may also have a lower hole or opening so that treatsstored in the container 230 may fall through the bottom hole of thecontainer 230, the upper hole of the tray container 221, and the lowerhole of the tray container 221 onto the dispensing tray 220. At leastone of upper and lower holes of the tray container 221 and or the bottomhole of the container 230 may have a gate that is automatically drivento selectively open and close. The gate may open when it is time todispense a treat (e.g., during a luring process or during a rewardsprocess), and may close to prevent treats from falling onto thedispensing tray 220 (e.g., during an exercise process or in a storagestate).

The container 230 may be a hollow container formed of front and backwalls, side walls, an upper wall and lid 231, and an optional bottomwall having an opening. The side walls and front and back walls may bepressed fit onto grooves provided on an upper surface of the traycontainer 221. The container 230 may be easily removable from the traycontainer 221 so that a user may clean or refill treats stored in thecontainer 230. The lid 231 (FIG. 3 ) provided on a top of the container230 may allow a user to quickly refill the container 230, oralternatively may be a handle that allows a user to remove the container230 from the tray container 221.

The tray container 221 may be a hollow container formed of front andback walls, side walls, an upper wall, and an optional bottom wall. Thetray container 221 may be formed separately from the dispensing tray 220and later combined, or the tray container 221 and the dispensing tray220 may be formed together (e.g., injection molded) as a single element.The tray container 221 and the dispensing tray 220 may be made ofplastic or, alternatively, metal.

A bottom end of the display mount 211 may be provided on and supportedby the upper wall of the tray container 221. The display mount 211 maybe a plate having, for example, a rectangular or square shape. The frontwall of the container 230 may be inclined backward from a lower end toan upper end. A back surface of the display mount 211 may have a shapeand inclination corresponding to a shape and inclination of the frontwall of the container 230 and may be provided on the front wall of thecontainer 230. A size of the display mount 211 may be equal to orsmaller than a size of the front wall of the container 230.Alternatively, the display mount 211 may be larger than the front wallof the container 230 and/or protrude above the front wall of thecontainer 220.

The display mount 211 may be removably coupled to the container 230. Forexample, the display mount 211 may be coupled magnetically to thecontainer 230. Alternatively, the container 230 may have rail guides,and a back of the display mount 211 may have rails that slide into therail guides.

The display mount 211 may have at least one protrusion protrudingoutward from a front surface and having at least one opening or hole inwhich a support shaft or protrusion 210 a of the display 210 may beinserted. The display 210 may be hingedly coupled to the display mount211 via the hole 211 a and the protrusion 210 a.

Referring to FIGS. 28A-28C, at least one of the display 210, thecontainer 230, the tray container 221, and the dispensing tray 220 maybe optional, and a user may customize the attachment module 200. Whenthe dispensing tray 220, tray container 221, and the container 230 areomitted, the display 210 may be coupled directly to the stand 424. Insuch a case, the display 210 may have a fixed inclination ororientation. A back surface of the display 210 may be configured tocouple to a front surface of the stand 424 via, e.g., a groove in thefront surface of the stand 240 and a corresponding protrusion on a backsurface of the display 210.

FIG. 28B exemplifies an attachment module 200 where the display 210 andthe display mount 211 are omitted. FIG. 28C exemplifies an attachmentmodule 200 where the dispensing tray 220, tray container 221, container230, and display mount 211 are omitted.

Referring back to FIG. 28A, the protrusion 210 a may rotate within thehole 211 a so that an inclination of the display 210 may be adjusted.There may be a motor provided in the protrusion 210 a so that aninclination of the display 210 may be automatically adjusted. Theinclination of the display 210 may be automatically adjusted based on aheight of the pet sensed by the handle sensor 331 provided in the handle330, a position of the pet sensed by left and right proximity sensors132 and 133 provided in the divider 130 described later, and/or an imagecaptured by the camera of the display 210. The display 210 may beinclined away from a pet on the treadmill 1 from a bottom end to a topend such that an angle between the front of the display 210 and ahorizontal axis is obtuse.

The display 210 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) backlit by lightemitting diodes (LEDs) or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Thedisplay 210 may have a communication and/or WiFi or BlueTooth module sothat videos (e.g., DogTV videos) may be streamed on the display 210and/or a remote owner may communicate with a pet on the treadmill 1 via,e.g., FaceTime or Skype, or via a mobile/web application executed by theremote user (i.e., a pet owner). Applications typically requiring inputby callers to accept or place a call (as with FaceTime or Skype) may bemodified to be controlled by the pet owner and/or be implemented in amode that automatically accepts calls. Videos streamed on the display210 may be also designed for pets, and may show certain shades of colors(e.g., yellow, blue, gray, and/or green) for dogs. The videos played onthe display 210 may have a relatively high refresh rate or flickerfrequency (e.g., at least 100 Hz) so that a pet may perceive the imagesas continuous. The display 210 may also emit sounds at a relatively highfrequency (e.g., 47,000-75,000 Hz) to stimulate the pet.

The display 210 may further include a camera or webcam so that the ownermay see the pet, and/or images from the handle sensor 331 may beaccessed online or via a mobile application. The display 210 may also beconfigured to play pre-recorded exercise programs, which may beprogrammed in conjunction with the fragrance assembly 500, the blower610, and/or the back and front height adjusters 410 and 420. The display210 may have a printed circuit board that electrically connects to thecontrol module 640. The display 210 and/or the control module 640 mayinclude a memory or storage to store exercise data about how often, howlong, and how far a pet has exercised.

Referring to FIGS. 29-30 , the dispensing tray 220 may provide a surfaceon which treats stored in the container 230 may be dropped. Thedispensing tray 220 may have curved sidewalls so as to prevent treatsfrom being dropped off the sides of the dispensing tray 220. Treats mayremain on the dispensing tray 220, or alternatively a curvature andinclination of the dispensing tray 220 may be configured to guide treatsonto the left and right belts 110 and/or 120. When a treat is dispensedonto the dispensing tray 220, the vents 146 may be automatically closed,and the left and right belts 110 and/or 120 may be slowed down orstopped (i.e., the motors 123 and 113 may slow down or stop a rotationof the front right and back left rollers 122 and 111) so that a pet maysafely consume the treat.

The vents 146 may include provided in the opening 147 of the front frame141. A section of the front frame 141 including the opening 147 andvents 146 may be an inclined surface having an inclination that is equalor similar to an inclination of a lower surface of the front portion ofthe divider 130. The front end of the divider 130 may be coupled to theinclined surface of the front frame 141 between left and right sets ofvents 146.

The vents 146 may be vanes that are adjustable automatically via a motorprovided at ends of the vents 146. When the treadmill 1 is in a storagemode, the vents 146 may be adjusted to be closed. A degree of opening ofthe vents 146 may be adjusted to correspond to an exercise programplayed on the display 210 (e.g., a windy program) or based on apredicted exertion, exhaustion, or temperature of the pet. There mayfurther be an optional temperature sensor provided in the front frame141 or in the divider 130. In addition, the handle sensor 331 may havean infrared sensor (e.g., passive infrared sensor or PIR) to sense atemperature and/or movement of the pet. When a certain temperature ortemperature increase is sensed by the temperature sensor, the vents 146may be opened to a degree corresponding to a degree of the temperatureincrease, and/or the Peltier device 633 may be operated to provide coolair.

A degree of opening of the vents 146 may also be controlled to control astrength of scents emitted by the fragrance assembly 500. For example,the vents 146 may be opened to a maximum degree so that a pet is exposedto a maximum scent strength. The vents 146 may be closed to prevent orminimize the scent strength. The vents 146 may be automatically closedwhen the fragrance assembly 500 is switching between different scents orsmells. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a scent strength may beincreased by increasing speed of the blower 610 and/or by increasing atemperature of the air around the fragrance assembly 500 via the Peltierdevice 633 to facilitate a vaporizing of the scent modules 505.

If the main controller of the control module 640 determines, viapositions sensed by the left and right proximity sensors 132 and 133,that a pet is outside of a predetermined lateral distance range, thecontrol module 640 may communicate with various circuitry on the PCBs ofthe back and front height adjusters 410 and 420 so that an inclinationof the treadmill 1 may be adjusted to scoot or encourage the pet to moveback into the predetermined lateral distance range. For example, if thecontrol module 640 determines that a pet is too far to the left andoutside of the predetermined lateral distance range, the left front andback legs 421 a and 411 a may be lengthened so that the treadmill 1 isinclined downward in a left-right direction. The pet may fall or beguided toward the right. When it is determined that the pet is withinthe predetermined lateral distance range, the left front and back legs421 a and 411 a may be shortened back to an initial position, and/orpre-programmed inclinations according to an exercise program may becontinued.

In addition to or separate from the inclination control method describedabove, the control module 640 may also calculate a gait when a pet istoo far to the left or too far to the right. If the control module 640determines that a pet is too far to the left and outside of thepredetermined lateral distance range, the control module 640 maydetermine that a stride length of the pet's right leg is greater than astride length of the pet's left leg. The control module 640 may controlthe right motor 123 to increase a speed of the right belt 120 and/or maycontrol the left motor 113 to decrease a speed of the left belt 110.

A speed sensor may be provided in at least one of the motors 123 and/or113, or alternatively on the lower frame 150 near one of the rollers111, 112, 121, 122 to sense a linear speed of the left and/or rightbelts 110 and 120. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the controlmodule 640 may determine a speed of the left and right belts 110 and 120based on an operation of the left and right motors 113 and 123. A memoryor storage provided in the control module 640 may record information onhow fast or how far a pet has traveled during exercise.

Referring to FIG. 31 , a user may select a “speed link” option so thatexercise programs or other content played on the display 210 correspondto a speed of the left and right belts 110 and 120 of the treadmill 1. Abasic or initial speed of the left and right belts 110 and 120 may beset to be at or around a natural walking speed (e.g., 4 km/h or roughly2.5 mph). When the left and right belts 110 and 120 are moving atdifferent speeds to accommodate gait, the “basic speed” of the left andright belts 110 and 120 may be defined as an average speed of the leftand right belts 110 and 120.

If the “speed link” option is not selected, then the display 210 maydisplay content (e.g., a family picture, a calming image, DOG TV, orother sound, image, or video) regardless of (or independent from) aspeed of the left and right belts 110 and 120. If the “speed link”option is selected, however, the content will play at a normal orregular speed when the left and right belts 110 and 120 are travellingat the basic speed. The normal or regular speed of the content played onthe display 210 may simulate or represent the basic speed. If the maincontroller in the control module 640 determines a change in the averagespeed of the left and right belts 110 and 120, then the main controllermay operate the display 210 to proportionately change a speed of thedisplayed content.

For example, if it is sensed or determined that the average speed of theleft and right belts 110 and 120 has increased from a basic speed of 4km/h to 6 km/h (roughly 3.7 mph) (for example, due to a speed adjustmentbased on positions sensed by the handle sensor 331 and/or the proximitysensors 132 and 133), then the content on the display 210 may be playedat 1.5 times the normal or regular speed. If it is sensed or determinedthat the average speed of the left and right belts 110 and 120 hasdecreased from a basic speed of 4 km/h to 3 km/h (roughly 1.9 mph), thenthe content on the display 210 may be played at 0.75 times the normal orregular speed.

Referring to FIG. 32 , the treadmill 1 may operate differently when anowner is away from the home versus when the owner is in the home. Thecommunication module in the control module 640 of the treadmill 1 mayinteract with a mobile application or GPS data from a user's cell phoneto determine whether the owner is home. When an owner is home, anoperation of the treadmill 1 may be initiated by the owner, an operationmay end 15 minutes later, and a treat may be dispensed on the dispensingtray 220. Alternatively, when the owner is home, the attachment module200 may not dispense a treat or reward at the end of the exercise, andthe owner may determine whether or not to give his pet a treat.

When the main controller of the control module 640 determines that theowner is not home, the treadmill 1 may initiate a luring or attractionprocess until the pet has exercised a predetermined number of times(e.g., four times or two times) during a predetermined time period(e.g., a day or an eight hour period). The control module 640 may have atimer or clock and a memory or storage, and may collect data on howoften the treadmill 1 is used. The communication module of the controlmodule 640 may also interact with a pet pendant or pet tag attached to aparticular pet, so when multiple pets live in a single household, thecontrol module 640 may be able to collect data on how often a particularpet has used the pet treadmill 1.

When the owner is not home, the main controller of the control module640 may first determine whether the treadmill 1 has been used that day(or alternatively, whether a particular pet has exercised yet that day).When it is determined that the treadmill 1 has not yet been used, thedisplay 210 may be controlled to display content that may be pleasingfor pets to lure the pet to the treadmill 1. For example, the display210 may show images of other pets, play sounds of other animals, orstream programs from programs designed for pets (e.g., DogTV). Thefragrance assembly 500 may emit a scent or fragrance (e.g., flower scentor an optional meat or food scent) from one of the scent modules 505 tospark curiosity in the pet.

If, in a predetermined time period, the main controller determines thata pet is present on the treadmill 1 via sensed measurements from atleast one of the handle sensor 331, a proximity sensor 132 or 133 in thedivider 130, or optional weight sensors in the lower frame 150, the gatein the attachment module 200 may be controlled to be open so that atreat is dispensed from the container 230 to the dispensing tray 220 toreward the pet for boarding. The left and right belts 110 and 120 may beturned very soon after dispensing (e.g., half a second or less) to keepthe pet's attention and to prevent the pet from jumping off thetreadmill 1 before an exercise program is started. Once the pet hasstarted an exercise program, operation of the treadmill 1 may end apredetermined program time (e.g., 15 minutes) later, and a reward ortreat may be dispensed.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, a treat may be dispensed after apet has exercised for a certain amount of time (e.g., 5 minutes) orexercised a predetermined distance (e.g., 0.3 miles). When a treat isdispensed before an exercise program has ended, speeds of the left andright belts 110 and 120 may be slowed down or stopped so that the pet isnot injured during consumption of the reward.

If, in a predetermined time period, the main controller determines (viathe handle sensor 331, the proximity sensor in the divider 130, oroptional weight sensors in the lower frame 150) that a pet has notboarded the treadmill 1, the display 210 may play different content toattract the pet including sound and video of the owner, which may havebeen pre-recorded and stored in the memory or may be lived streamed fromthe owner using the mobile/web application upon notification of a failedluring attempt to the owner. The attachment module 200 may also dispensea preliminary treat to lure the pet onto the pet treadmill 1. In such asituation, once it is determined that the pet has boarded the treadmill1, the left and right belts 110 and 120 may be immediately rotated afterthe determination without regard for whether the pet is centered orproperly positioned on the left and right belts 110 and 120 to preventthe pet from jumping off the treadmill 1 after consuming the treat butbefore exercising.

If the pet is not lured to the treadmill 1 after a second predeterminedtime period, an operation of the treadmill 1 may be stopped, and aluring process may be restarted after a predetermined reattempt time(e.g., after 15 minutes, an hour, etc.) If the pet was lured to thetreadmill 1 and finished an exercise program, the luring process may berestarted after a predetermined rest time (e.g., after four hours) toencourage the pet to use the treadmill 1 again later in the day. Amemory in the main controller may store information on how often theluring process was initiated and how often and when the pet exercised,and an owner may access that information via the display 210 or a mobileapplication.

Referring to FIG. 33 , speeds of the left and right belts 110 and 120may be adjusted based on a forward-backward position sensed by thehandle sensor 331. Such adjustments may override any predeterminedspeeds of the left and right belts 110 and 120 as part of apredetermined exercise program. If it is determined by the maincontroller in the control module 640 that the pet is properly positionedand/or centered based on a sensed position by the handle sensor 331,then the speeds of the left and right belts 110 and 120 may bemaintained. However, if the main controller determines that the pet isin front of a predetermined position or a predetermined position range,speeds of the left and right belts 110 and 120 may be increased by equalamounts. If the main controller determines that the pet is not centeredand behind the predetermined position range (or alternatively, behind asecond predetermined position), speeds of the left and right belts 110and 120 may be decreased by equal amounts. A memory in the maincontroller may store information on the left and right belt speeds 110and 120 and how fast the pet exercised during an exercise program orsession, and the owner may access that information via the display 210or a mobile application.

Alternatively or in addition thereto to the method of increasing ordecreasing speeds shown in FIG. 33 , a forward-backward inclination ofthe treadmill 1 may be adjusted via the front and back height adjusters420 and 430 based on a forward-backward position sensed by the handlesensor 331. If it is determined by the main controller in the controlmodule 640 that the pet is properly positioned and/or centered based ona sensed position by the handle sensor 331, then the inclination of thetreadmill 1 may be maintained.

However, if the main controller determines that the pet is in front of apredetermined position or a predetermined position range, lengths of thefront left and right legs 421 a and 422 a may be increased by equalamounts and/or lengths of the back left and right legs 411 a and 412 amay be decreased by equal amounts. If the main controller determinesthat the pet is not centered and behind the predetermined position range(or alternatively, behind a second predetermined position), lengths ofthe front left and right legs 421 a and 422 a may be decreased by equalamounts and/or lengths of the back left and right legs 411 a and 412 amay be increased by equal amounts. A memory in the main controller maystore information on how often the inclination of the treadmill 1changes and to what degree, and the owner may access that informationvia the display 210 or a mobile application.

Referring to FIG. 34 , an inclination of the treadmill 1 may be adjustedbased on a left-right position of the pet sensed by proximity sensors inthe divider 130 by adjusting lengths of the legs 411 a, 412 a, 421 a,and 422 a. Such an adjustment may override any predeterminedinclinations of the treadmill 1 as part of an exercise program. The leftproximity sensor 132 may measure how far to the left a pet may bepositioned, and the right proximity sensor 133 may measure how far tothe right a pet may be positioned.

If the main controller of the control module 640 determines, based onpositions sensed by the left and right proximity sensors 132 and 133 inthe divider 130, that the pet is beyond a predetermined lateral distanceor distance range from the divider 130, the main controller may furtherdetermine whether the pet is too far to the left or too far to theright. If it is determined that the pet is too far to the left, thenlengths of the left front and back legs 421 a and 411 a may be increasedand/or lengths of the right front and back legs 422 a and 412 a may bedecreased via an air suspension process controlled in the front and backheight adjusters 420 and 410. If it is determined that the pet is toofar to the right, then lengths of the right front and back legs 422 aand 412 a may be increased and/or lengths of the left front and backlegs 421 a and 411 a may be decreased via an air suspension processcontrolled in the front and back height adjusters 420 and 410. If it isdetermined that the pet is within the predetermined lateral distance,then continuous exercise may be implemented and an inclination of thetreadmill 1 may not be altered in response to a pet position.

Alternatively or in addition thereto to the method of changingleft/right inclinations, the left-right position of the pet may indicatea gait, and speeds of the left and right belts 110 and 120 may bechanged in response to positions sensed by the proximity sensors 132 and133. If it is determined that the pet is too far to the left, then aspeed of the left belt 110 may be decreased via the left motor 113and/or a speed of the right belt may be increased via the right motor123. If it is determined that the pet is too far to the right, then aspeed of the left belt 110 may be increased via the left motor 113and/or a speed of the right belt may be decreased via the right motor123. If it is determined that the pet is within the predeterminedlateral distance, then continuous exercise may be implemented and aninclination of the treadmill 1 may not be altered in response to a petposition.

Referring to FIG. 35 , a user may control whether the attachment module200 will dispense treats during an exercise program or process of thepet. If the user selects a rewards process to be off, then continuousexercise may be implemented without treats being dispensed by theattachment module 200. If the user selects the rewards process to be on,then the attachment module 200 may periodically dispense treats in themiddle of an exercise program based on distance traveled or time. Whenthe attachment module 200 dispenses a treat, the left and right belts110 and 120 may be controlled to be slowed down or stopped, which maytemporarily disrupt the exercise program. The memory of the controlmodule 640 may store information on how often and how many treats aredispensed from the container 230 onto the dispensing tray 220, and theuser may access that information via the display 210 or a mobileapplication.

Referring to FIG. 36 , the main controller of the control module 640 mayelectrically connect to a communication module provided in the controlmodule 640. The communication module may communicate with communicationmodules of various sub-PCBs provided in the treadmill 1 (e.g., in thefront and back height adjusters 410 and 420, in the display 210, in thehandle 300, etc.), and may also include a WiFi module and a Bluetoothmodule.

The main controller may control, either directly or interacting withother communication modules, operations of the back and front LEDs 191and 192, the back and front height adjusters 410 and 420, the vents 146,the left and right proximity sensors 132 and 133, and the left and rightmotors 113 and 123. The main controller may further control an operationof the motor 313 a and handle sensor 331 in the handle 300 and the motorin the side support 503 b of the fragrance assembly 500. With respect tothe attachment module 200, the main controller may control an operationof the display 210, an inclination of the display 210 via the displaymount 211, and a dispensing of treats via the gate in the container 230.The main controller may control an operation of the blower 610, the fans632, the Peltier device 633, and the LED modules 623 that activate thephotocatalytic deodorizer 622.

The main controller may make determinations and control operations ofthe various electronic devices based on sensed measurements by thehandle sensor 331, and the left and right proximity sensors 132 and 133.Sensed measurements may be recorded and stored in the memory, and themain controller may make future determinations based on data stored inthe memory. A user may access data stored in the memory via the display210 or on a mobile application installed on a mobile device thatcommunicates with the communication module.

Referring to FIGS. 37A and 37B, the front and back height adjusters 410and 420 may alternatively operate via a gear method instead of airsuspension. FIGS. 37A and 37B show a gear method for the front heightadjuster 420, but a similar method may be applied to the back heightadjuster 410. The front frame 141 of the upper frame 140 and the frontend of the lower frame 150 may be fixed to the stand 424, which may beslideably coupled to the front support 423. The front support 423 may beprovided in a pair to correspond to left and right front legs 421 a and422 a, or may have a slit in a center. A gear 423 a may have a supportor center frame 423 b that is fixed to the stand 424. The support 423 bof the gear 423 a may extend between the pair of front supports 423 oralternatively be inserted through the slit of the center of the frontsupport 423. The support 423 b of the gear 423 a may extend in alongitudinal direction of the treadmill 1, while the gear 423 a mayprotrude laterally from the support 423 b (e.g., toward the right orleft) to interact with a back surface of the front support 423. Whenthere is a pair of front supports 423, there may be two gears 423 a thatprotrude from the support 423 b to the left and right, respectively.

The back surface of the front support 423 may have teeth that interactwith teeth of the gear 423 a, which may turn manually or via a motor.When the gear 423 a turns in a first direction, the front support 423may be slid downward with respect to the stand 424, and the upper andlower frames 140 and 150 may rise. When the gear 423 a turns in a seconddirection, the front support 423 may be slid upward with respect to thestand 424 and inserted into the treadmill 1 to lower the upper and lowerframes 140 and 150.

As another alternative, the back and front height adjuster 410 and 420may have hydraulic or pneumatic pumps and/or a motor or actuator (e.g.,electric, pneumatic, hydraulic) to lift the four legs 411 a, 412 a, 421a, and 422 a and/or the four corners of the treadmill 1. The four legs411 a, 412 a, 421 a, and 422 a, may, for example, have upper and lowerpipes that are lengthened via an electric linear actuator.

Although the treadmill 1 is described as being used by an animal or pet,embodiments disclosed herein may also be modified (e.g., made bigger) tobe used by humans. For example, people who have injured their legs orwho otherwise have gait may not be able to use a standard one-belttreadmill, especially during physical therapy after a recent injury. Thetreadmill 1 having left and right belts 110 and 120 may be implementedas a human treadmill, and speeds of the left and right belts 110 and 120may be adjusted to accommodate a human's gait.

Although the figures show a treadmill including two belts, one ofordinary skill in the art would recognize that embodiments disclosedherein may be implemented with one belt that rotates around a singlefront roller and a single back roller provided at a front and back endsof the treadmill, respectively.

One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that, although atreadmill 1 is described, features of the treadmill 1 may be applied toany number of exercise apparatuses. For example, a stair master machinemay have separate right and left tracks, an attachment module, and/or afragrance assembly. The first and second belts 110 and 120 mayalternatively be referred to as first and second moveable members,tracks, treads, panels, or stair assemblies.

Although plastic upper and lower frames 140 and 150 are described,alternatively, the upper and lower frames 140 and 150 may be made ofmetal such as stainless steel to provide a stable, durable base. Atreadmill 1 made of metal upper and lower frames 140 and 150 may beadvantageous in a dog kennel setting where many different dogs may usethe treadmill 1 throughout the day. The upper frame 140 may be bonded orwelded to the lower frame 150.

Even when the upper and lower frames 140 and 150 are made of plastic,they may alternatively be bonded or welded together instead of beingpressed-fit or snapped-fit to each other. A pressed-fit coupling betweenthe upper and lower frames 140 and 150 may facilitate a removal andreplacement of the left and right belts 110 and 120.

As another alternative, the upper frame 140 may be manufactured as asingle upper frame 140, or alternatively, the back frame 144, the sideframes 145, and the front frame 141 may be manufactured separately andthen later pressed-fit or bonded together for integration. The lowerframe 150 may similarly be manufactured as a single lower frame 150 oralternatively, the lower frame 150 may include a separate front frame,side frames, and back frame that are pressed-fit or bonded together forintegration.

As an alternative to the two rollers 121 and 122 provided at front andback ends of the treadmill 1 as shown in the figures, one of the rollersmay be replaced by a fixed shaft or pipe. The shaft may be formed of orcoated in a slippery material such that there is not much frictionbetween the belt 120 and the shaft, and the belt 120 may primarilyrotate around one roller at a first end and pass over the slippery endof the shaft at the second end.

There may be an optional guide or tab provided on the upper frame 140,lower frame 150, and/or on side surfaces of the rollers 111, 112, 121,and 122 to keep the left and right belts 110 and 120 in place andaligned on the rollers 111, 112, 121, and 122.

With respect to FIGS. 7A-7C, the front and back roller frames 142 b and142 a may include an optional locking mechanism or locking groove tokeep the front and back shafts 125 and 115 fixed and the left and rightbelts 110 and 120 taut. The locking mechanism may have a release toallow movement of the front and back shafts 125 and 115 toward eachother to loosen the left and right belts 110 and 120. As an example, thefront roller frames 142 b may have a curved groove (e.g., L-shaped,upside down L-shaped, S-shaped, etc.) When the upper frame 140 iscoupled to the lower frame 150, the front shaft 125 may slide furtherforward in the groove so as to tighten the left and right belts 110 and120. The groove on the right front roller frame 142 br may have a thicksize corresponding to a size of the right motor 123, while the groove onthe left front roller frame 142 b 1 may have a thin size correspondingto a size of the front shaft 125. A vertical section of the grooves mayextend all the way down the front roller frames 142 b for entry of thefront shaft 125 into the groove.

As the upper frame 140 is placed downward on the lower frame 120, thefront roller frames 142 b 1 and 142 br and the back roller frames 142 a1 and 142 ar may fit onto the front shaft and motor 125 and 123 and backmotor and shaft 113 and 115, respectively. The front rollers 112 and 122may be guided forward by the grooves while the back rollers 111 and 121may be guided backward by the grooves to tighten the left and rightbelts 110 and 120.

Although FIG. 10A shows the right motor 123 coupled to the front rightroller 122 and the left motor 113 coupled to the back left roller 111,configurations of the motors 113 and 123 and the rollers 111, 112, 121,and 121 are not limited thereto. For example, the motors 113 and 123 mayboth be provided to rotate the back rollers 111 and 121, may both beprovided to rotate the front rollers 112 and 122, or the right motor 123may rotate the back right belt 121 and the left motor 113 may rotate thefront left belt 122.

Although a magnetic coupling of the divider 130 to the upper frame 140is described, a coupling of the divider 130 is not limited thereto. Forexample, the divider 130 may be pressed-fit into grooves or recessesprovided in the vent frame 147 and the back frame 144 of the upper frame140, or the divider 130 may be bonded to the vent and back frames 147and 144.

Although the roller frame 160 described with reference to FIGS. 11-13 isdescribed as having a plurality of left and right rollers 165 and 166,alternatively, the plurality of left and right rollers 165 and 166,along with center rollers 167 and 168, may be omitted, and the rollerframe 160 may simply adjust positions of the front rollers 112 and 122with respect to the back rollers 111 and 121. In such a case, the leftand right belts 110 and 120 may be made out of a strong enough materialand configured such that, when tensions of the left and right belts 110and 120 are sufficiently tightened, the left and right belts 110 and 120may together support a pet under a predetermined weight.

When the plurality of left and right rollers 165 and 166 are omitted, anoptional plate may be provided on top of the roller frame 160 and withinthe closed loops of the left and right belts 110 and 120 after theroller frame 160 is adjusted properly. The plate may be pressed-fit ontoupper sides of the front and back frames 161 and 162. The plate may havea rib or flange that extends downward from left and right sides, and theflange may be inserted into grooves on the upper sides of the front andback frames 161 and 162.

As another alternative, back and front plates may replace the pluralityof left and right rollers 165 and 166 in the roller frame 160 and befixed to the back and front frames 162 and 161, respectively. In such analternative, there may be a gap between the back and front platesdepending on a length adjustment of the roller frame 160. The front andback plates may serve to offer temporary support if a pet or object of aweight greater than what the left and right belts 110 and 120 cansupport is placed on the left and right belts 110 and 120, or if a petor object is placed on the treadmill 1 before the left and right belts110 and 120 are sufficiently tightened.

As another alternative, the left and right belts 110 and 120 may not bereplaceable, and a plate or inner roller housing may be fixed betweenthe back rollers 111 and 121 at a back end and the front rollers 112 and122 at a front end, and the left and right belts 110 and 120 may slideover an upper surface of the inner roller housing. The inner rollinghousing may be implemented as slates or mesh to reduce a weight. Theinner roller housing may support a weight of a pet using the treadmill1, while the left and right belts 110 and 120 merely encourage movementof the pet on the treadmill 1.

As another alternative, each roller 111, 112, 121, and 112 may have itsown shaft, and a vertical plate may be provided on the lower frame 150or the upper frame 140 to extend between the left rollers 111 and 112and the right rollers 121 and 122. The shafts may be coupled to groovesor rails provided on the vertical plate and fixed in place so that aposition of the front right roller 122 may be adjusted independentlyfrom a position of the front left roller 112, and a position of the backleft roller 111 may be adjusted independently from a position of theback right roller 121.

As another alternative, the roller frame 160 may replace a part of thelower frame 150, and the upper frame 140 may be configured to have andadjustable length to correspond to the adjustable length of the rollerframe 160.

Even when the roller frame 160 is omitted, there may be a plurality ofleft and right rollers extending between pairs of roller frames 142provided in the upper frame 140.

Although the handle mount opening 143 is shown as an opening in FIG. 7 ,alternatively, the handle mount opening 143 may be a recess formed in aside surface of the side wall 145 having a depth that corresponds to athickness of a handle mount 153 extending upward from the lower frame150.

Although the handle 300 is described and shown in FIG. 2 as having onehandle sensor 331 to sense a height and frontward-backward position of apet, alternatively or in addition thereto, there may be at least twohandle sensors 331 provided at left and right sides of the handleassembly 330 under the handle top 320. Based on information from boththe left and right handle sensors 331, the main controller may determinewhether a pet is too far to the left or too far to the right on thetreadmill 1. Such a detection may also be sensed via the proximitysensors 132 and 133 provided in the divider 130.

If the handle sensor 331 (or, alternatively, the proximity sensors 132and 133 in the divider 130) senses that a pet is outside of apredetermined distance range from a center of the treadmill 1, theheight adjusters 410 and 420 may adjust an inclination of the treadmill1 by raising or lowering heights of the legs 411 a, 412 a, 421 a, and422 a to shift the pet back to a more central position within thepredetermined distance range from a center of the treadmill 1. Forexample, if it is sensed that a pet is at a position to a right beyondthe predetermined distance range, the front and back height adjusters420 and 410 may raise the front and back right legs 421 a and 411 a toshift the pet back toward the center of the pet treadmill. Once it issensed that the pet is within the predetermined distance range from thecenter of the treadmill 1, the front and back height adjusters 420 and410 may lower the front and back right legs 421 a and 411 a back to aninitial position so that the pet may continue with a previously startedexercise program.

There may be optional weight sensors provided in the lower frame 150.The main controller may make determinations of a position of the petbased on data from the weight sensors.

With respect to FIGS. 16-18 , although a square or rectangular debrisremover 180 and opening 152 is exemplified in the figures, embodimentsdisclosed are not limited to such shapes. Alternatively or in additionthereto, the brush 184 may rotate via a motor to deposit the debris intothe opening 183 of the debris remover 180. In addition, a placement ofthe opening 183 and the brush 184 are not limited to a back end of thedebris remover 180, and may alternatively be placed at a front end or ina middle of the debris remover 180, with the opening 183 being providedin front of the brush 184 with respect to a movement of the left andright belts 110 and 120. In addition, a placement of the handle 300 andthe debris remover 180 are not limited to a central or middle portion ofthe base 100. An angle of the handle 300 may be adjusted so that, duringexercise, the handle sensor 331 may accurate sense a position of a peton the left and right belts 110 and 120.

Although the back and front height adjusters 410 and 420 are shown to beprovided within the base 100 between the upper and lower frames 140 and150 in FIG. 1 , alternatively, the back and front height adjusters 410and 420 may be provided under the lower frame 150. In such a case,lengths of the back and front height adjusters 410 and 420 maycorrespond to lengths of the back and front ends of the base 100,respectively. In addition, the back UV LED 191 and back roller cover 194may be provided on an inner surface of the back frame 144 of the upperframe 140.

Although the FIGS. 22-24 exemplify rectangular or square shaped top andbottom heat sinks 634 and 632 and a Peltier device 633, the Peltierdevice 633 and the top and bottom heat sinks 634 and 632 alternativelymay have a circular shape corresponding to a shape of the fan 631. Thenumber of fans 631, Peltier devices 633, and top and bottom heat sinks634 and 632 are not limited to two, and various shapes, sizes, andconfigurations may be provided to address various cooling needs. As anexample, there may be a longer, rectangular Peltier device 633 providedbetween two longer top and bottom heat sinks 634 and 632, while two fans631 are provided under the longer, bottom heat sink 634. Although thedeodorizer 620 is shown to be in a central position between two sets offans 631, Peltier device 633, and top and bottom heat sinks 634 and 632,a position of the deodorizer 620 is not limited thereto. Similarly, aposition of the control module 640 is not limited to the centralposition shown.

The number of LED modules 623 is not limited to two. For example, theremay only be one LED module 623. Alternatively, there may be four LEDmodules 623 attached to each side of a rectangular photocatalyst housing624. Although rectangular or square shapes for the LED frame 623 a, thephotocatalytic deodorizer 622, and the control module 640 areexemplified, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to square orrectangular shapes.

Although FIGS. 25-26 exemplify a cartridge 504 divided into foursections embodiments disclosed are not limited thereto. For example, thecartridge 504 may be divided into thirds by three walls intersecting at120°, into halves by two walls intersecting at 180°, into sixths by sixwalls intersecting at 60°, etc. A shape of the scent modules 505 may beconfigured to fit into the sections of the cartridge 504.

In addition, scents of the scent modules 505 are not limited. As anotherexample, one of the scent modules 505 may have a meat fragrance, foodfragrance, or other fragrance that may be pleasing to an animal to lurea pet to the treadmill 1. As another example, there may be a scentmodule 505 that emits a rain fragrance to correspond to a rain video, asmoke fragrance to correspond to a campsite or fire video, a sugaryfragrance or a fragrance imitating a typical dog or cat scent to lurethe pet, etc.

Although an automatic rotation of the cartridge 504 by the motor of theside support 503 b is described, the cartridge 504 may also be rotatedmanually via a dial method or by force. The vent or opening at thebottom of the cartridge case 501 may have vanes that automatically ormanually open and close the cartridge case 501 to close the fragranceassembly 500. Similarly, the vents 146 may also be opened and closedmanually via a dial method or pressing down on the vents 146 to closethe vents 146 and pulling up on the vents 146 to open the vents 146.

As another alternative, the fragrance assembly 500 may not have acylindrical structure, and instead, the cartridge 504 may have a latticebox structure or grid structure. The plurality of scent modules 505 mayhave cuboid shape and be arranged side-by-side, and the opening 502 amay have a corresponding square or rectangular shape. The cartridge 504may slide laterally to expose only one scent module 505 through theopening. Alternatively, a gate closing the opening 502 a may beconfigured to cover all of the scent modules 505 except a selected scentmodule 505. The fragrance assembly 500 is not limited to the base 100,and may alternatively be provided as part of the attachment module 200to be removable. In such a configuration, the attachment module 200 mayhave additional vents and a fan to disperse scents from the scentmodules 505.

With respect to FIG. 8 , since a coupling between the protrusion of theattachment base 240 and the recess of the stand 424 may be configured tobe strong enough to support an entire weight of the attachment module200 (the display 210, the container 230, and the tray 220), theprotrusion of the attachment base 240 may alternatively be welded orbonded to the recess of the stand 424.

Although the display mount 211 shown in FIGS. 28-30 appears to be fixedonto the stand 424, alternatively, the stand 424 may be slideablycoupled to the front support 423 so that a height of the display mount211 and the display 210 may be adjusted. A back side of the stand 424may include gear teeth to interact with a gear provided on a front sideof the front support 423, and a motor may turn the gear so that a heightof the display 210 may be automatically adjusted.

Combinations and/or customizations of the attachment module 200 are notlimited to the above-described omissions with reference to FIGS. 29B andC. When the dispensing tray 220, tray container 221, and container 230are omitted, the display 210 may alternatively be coupled to the displaymount 211 instead of directly to the attachment base 240, and thedisplay mount 211 may couple to the attachment base 240 or alternativelydirectly to the stand 424. A back surface of the display mount 211 maybe adhered or bonded to the attachment base 240 or the stand 424.

Alternatively, the attachment base 240 and/or the stand 424 may have arail guide provided at sides of the front surface of the stand, andsides (or optional rails) of the display mount 211 may be inserted intothe rail guide. As another alternative, the stand 240 may have grooves,and the back surface of the display mount 211 may have protrusionsconfigured to be inserted and pressed-fit into the grooves of the stand240.

Although FIG. 28A is described as having a protrusion 210 a insertedinto a hole 211 a, alternatively, the protrusion 210 a and the hole 211a may be formed as a ball and socket structure. The protrusion 210 a maybe a sphere or partial sphere, and the hole 211 a may be a spherical orsemi-spherical recess. The display 210 may have an adjustableinclination up, down, left, right, back, and forward so that the display210 may be properly aimed at a pet on the treadmill 1.

Although FIG. 31 describes a process where the content on the display210 is sped up or slowed down according to a speed of the left and rightbelts 110 and 120, alternatively or in addition thereto, the speed ofthe left and right belts 110 and 120 may change according to contentplayed on the display 210 or as part of a pre-recorded or pre-programmedexercise program. For example, if a video depicts an increase in travelspeed through a road or on a beach, speeds of the left and right belts110 and 120 may be increased accordingly. However, the speed-linkedprocess exemplified in FIG. 31 allows for unanticipated changes in thespeeds of the left and right belts 110 and 120. For example, if a speedof the left and right belts 110 and 120 is decreased because it issensed via the handle sensor 331 that a pet is too far backward on thetreadmill 1, content on the display 210, even if part of a pre-recordedexercise program, may still correspond to a speed of the left and rightbelts 110 and 120 and therefore produce a more realistic simulation forthe pet.

This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/690,201filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/690,239 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser.No. 16/690,312 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/690,371 filed on Nov.21, 2019, 16/690,448 Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/690,500 filed on Nov.21, 2019, Ser. No. 16/690,573 filed on Nov. 21, 2019, Ser. No.16/691,707 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, 16/691,718 filed on Nov. 22, 2019,16/691,736 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, Ser. No. 16/691,743 filed on Nov. 22,2019, 16/691,759 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, Ser. No. 16/691,779 filed onNov. 22, 2019, and Ser. No. 16/691,796 filed on Nov. 22, 2019, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a treadmillhaving two belts, one for each leg, that move at different speeds toaccommodate a gait of the pet. Gait of the pet may be detected byposition sensors provided to sense a distance of right and left legsaway from a center of the treadmill.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a treadmillthat maintains a position of a pet on the treadmill so that thetreadmill may be used autonomously. A sensor provided above the pet maydetect a height and forward-backward position of the pet, while sensorsprovided in a belt divider may detect a left-right position of the pet.When the pet is too far forward or backward, speeds of the left andright belts may be adjusted to bring the pet back to the center. Inaddition, a forward-backward inclination of the treadmill may beadjusted to push the pet back toward the center. When the pet is too farleftward or rightward, speeds of the left and right belts may beadjusted to accommodate any gait detected, and a left-right inclinationof the treadmill may be adjusted to push the pet back toward the center.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a treadmillthat summons a pet to the treadmill and keeps the pet stimulated. Thepet may be lured to the treadmill by a video, sound, smell, or treat,and may continue to be simulated in on the treadmill in accordance withan exercise program. The program may simulate a landscape or seascape(e.g., a flower road video, rocky road video, mountain video, coastallandscape video, or beach landscape), and the videos, sounds, and smellsvia a display, treat dispenser, and fragrance assembly may all work inconjunction to simulate the landscape. When speeds of the belts areadjusted based on sensed positions of the pet, a simulated movement onthe display may be adjusted. In addition, a texture of the belts maysimulate a texture of the landscape (e.g., an AstroTurf belt orsand-based belt). A thermoelectric cooler may cool the pet on thetreadmill. A pet on the treadmill may not need to be caged in, which mayreduce anxiety.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by an easilycustomizable treadmill. Belts of the treadmill may be replaceable withother belts having different textures. In addition, a display and treatdispenser may be easily removed or combined in various ways on thetreadmill.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a treadmillthat is easy to keep clean. A debris remover may be provided under thebelts to scrape pet hair and other debris off the belts. A deodorizermay be provided to break apart pollutants in the air, and a sterilizermay be provided to emit UV radiation toward the belts.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a lightweightand portable treadmill for home use. A handle is provided that rotatesaround the treadmill to provide easy storage. During use, the handle mayextend over the belts, and a height may be automatically adjusted basedon a sensed height of the pet. In addition, a stand is provided tosupport the treadmill in an upright position during storage. Anattachment module, which may include a display, speaker, and treatdispenser, may be easily removed so that the display is not damagedduring storage.

Features of the present disclosure may be implemented by a treadmilldesigned for dogs. DogTV or other programs geared toward dogs may beplayed on the display. Colors and sounds output on the display may be inthe visual and audio spectrum for dogs. A fragrance assembly may beprovided to store a plurality of scents and emit one of the scents tolure a pet to the treadmill or stimulate the pet during an exerciseprogram.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmillcomprising a base, at least one belt moveable relative to the base, anattachment module including at least one of a display configured todisplay an image for a pet or a dispenser configured to dispense aconsumable item, the attachment module being removable from the base, afragrance assembly configured to emit at least one scent and provided inthe base, and, a blower provided in the base and configured to dispersethe scent emitted by the fragrance assembly through an opening in thebase.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmillcomprising a base, a tread moveable relative to the base and having afirst belt and a second belt, the first belt and the second belt beingcontrolled independently for speed, a stimulation module configured toentice a pet to exercise and to operate in accordance with an exerciseprogram, the stimulation module including at least one of a display thatplays videos, a dispenser that dispenses an edible treat, or a fragranceassembly that emits at least one scent, and a cleaning module includingat least one of a deodorizer that emits ions, a sterilizing lightconfigured to sterilize the belt, or a debris remover configured toremove and collect debris from the tread.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill includinga base, a first belt provided over a first pair of rollers and a secondbelt provided over a second pair of rollers, the first belt and thesecond belt being moveable relative to the base in a prescribeddirection. One of the first pair of rollers may be provided toward afront of the base and the other one of the first pair of rollers may beprovided toward a rear of the base. One of the second pair of rollersmay be provided toward a front of the base and the other one of thesecond pair of rollers may be provided toward a rear of the base suchthat the first and second belts are adjacent to each other. A firstmotor may be coupled to one of the first pair of rollers and a secondmotor may be coupled to one of the second pair of rollers such that thefirst belt and the second belt are independently driven for speed. Adivider may be provided between the first belt and the second belt, thedivider including a left sensor and a right sensor to detect whether apet may be centered between the first and second belts. A handle may beattached to a middle portion of the base, the handle having a top sensorto detect whether a pet may be close to the front or rear of the base,the middle portion provided between the front and the rear of the base.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmillcomprising a base having a front end and a rear end and a first pair ofrollers and a second pair of rollers. One of the first pair of rollersmay be provided toward the front end of the base and the other one ofthe first pair of rollers may be provided toward the rear end of thebase. One of the second pair of rollers may be provided toward the frontend of the base and the other one of the second pair of rollers may beprovided toward the rear end of the base such that the first and secondpairs of rollers are adjacent to each other. A first belt may be wrappedaround the first pair of rollers. A second belt may be wrapped aroundthe second pair of rollers. A first motor may be configured to rotateone of the first pair of rollers such that the first belt moves from thefront end of the base to the rear end of the base at a first linearspeed. A second motor may be configured to rotate one of the second pairof rollers such that the second belt moves from the front end of thebase to the rear end of the base at a second linear speed.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmillcomprising a base having a front and a rear and a first pair of rollersand a second pair of rollers. One of the first pair of rollers may beprovided toward the front end of the base and the other one of the firstpair of rollers may be provided toward the rear end of the base. One ofthe second pair of rollers may be provided toward the front end of thebase and the other one of the second pair of rollers may be providedtoward the rear end of the base such that the first and second pairs ofrollers are adjacent to each other. A first belt may be wrapped aroundthe first pair of rollers. A second belt may be wrapped around thesecond pair of rollers. A first motor may be configured to rotate one ofthe first pair of rollers such that the first belt moves from the frontend of the base to the rear end of the base at a first linear speed. Asecond motor may be configured to rotate one of the second pair ofrollers such that the second belt moves from the front end of the baseto the rear end of the base at a second linear speed. A first sensor mayface toward the first belt and a second sensor may face toward thesecond belt to detect a position as to whether a pet may be veering awayfrom a center of the base due to a gait, and a control module may beconfigured to adjust rotational speeds of the first and second motors inresponse to the detected position to compensate for the gait.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmillcomprising a base having a front and a rear and a first pair of rollersand a second pair of rollers. One of the first pair of rollers may beprovided toward the front of the base and the other one of the firstpair of rollers may be provided toward the rear of the base. One of thesecond pair of rollers may be provided toward the front of the base andthe other one of the second pair of rollers may be provided toward therear of the base such that the first and second pairs of rollers areadjacent to each other. A first belt may be wrapped around the firstpair of rollers to form a first closed loop. A second belt may bewrapped around the second pair of rollers to form a second closed loop.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmillcomprising a base including a bottom frame having a front end with leftand right corners and a rear end with left and right corners, a treadconfigured to move relative to the base, the tread being provided abovethe bottom frame, and an adjustment assembly configured to independentlyadjust a front left corner height of the bottom frame, a front rightcorner height of the bottom frame, a rear left corner height the bottomframe, and a rear right corner height of the bottom frame to assist apet to be positioned at a predetermined location on the tread.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmillcomprising a base including a front end and a rear end, a treadconfigured to move relative to the base, a sensor provided above thetread and facing toward the tread, and an adjustment assembly configuredto independently adjust at least one of a height of the front end or therear end to assist a pet to be positioned at a predetermined location onthe tread based on a position detected by the sensor.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmillcomprising a base including a right side and a left side, a treadconfigured to move relative to the base, a sensor provided toward afront of the base to sense a position of a pet relative to at least oneof the right side or the left side, and an adjustment assemblyconfigured to independently adjust at least one of a height of the leftside or the right side to assist a pet to be positioned at apredetermined location on the tread based on a position detected by thesensor.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a first end and a second end, a first rollerprovided at the first end of the base and a second roller provided atthe second end of the base, a display coupled to the base and configuredto display content according to a predetermined exercise program, and abelt formed around the first roller and the second roller to form aclosed loop and configured to move around the first and second rollersat a prescribed speed. The belt may have an outer surface and beconfigured to be removable such that content played on the display maybe based on the texture of the belt and the outer surface corresponds toa texture of a ground surface displayed on the display. The texture ofthe belt may include at least one of a rocky surface, a grassy surface,a gravel surface, a pavement surface, or a sandy surface.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petincluding a base having a first end and a second end, the base having afirst frame and a second frame coupled to the first frame, the firstframe being configured to be separable from the lower frame, at leastone first roller and at least one second roller separated from eachother by a prescribed distance, at least one motor to rotate at leastone of the first roller or the second roller, and a belt assembly havingan inner surface configured to wrap around the first and second rollersto form a closed loop and an outer surface having a first predeterminedtexture. The first frame and the second frame may be separated from eachother to replace the belt assembly with a replacement belt assemblyhaving an outer surface of a second predetermined texture which may bedifferent from the first predetermined texture.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a plurality of rollers comprising a front leftroller, a front right roller, a rear left roller, and a rear rightroller, and a belt assembly having an outer surface and configured towrap around the front left and right rollers and the back left and rightrollers. The belt assembly may be formed of one of a single belt and aleft belt and a right belt. The outer surface may be made of at leastone of an AstroTurf material, a GoreTex material filled with sand, agravel material, or a material configured to imitate grass, sand,gravel, or pavement.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a first end and a second end, a first rollerprovided at the first end of the base and a second roller provided atthe second end of the base, at least one belt having an inner surfaceand an outer surface, the inner surface being wrapped around the firstroller and the second roller to form a closed loop, the belt beingconfigured to move around the first and second rollers at a prescribedspeed, and a first sterilizer provided at the first end of the base andadjacent to the belt such that the belt may be provided between thefirst sterilizer and the first roller. The first sterilizer may beconfigured to sterilize the outer surface of the belt as the belttravels at the prescribed speed. The first sterilizer may be anultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED).

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having an opening, at least one belt exposed throughthe opening of the base and configured to travel at a prescribed speedin a closed loop, and a sterilizer configured to sterilize the belt. Thesterilizer may be provided in the base to face toward the belt such thatlight emitted by the sterilizer may be prevented from escaping throughthe opening.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having an opening, a front cover provided at a front,and a rear cover provided at a rear, the opening provided between thefront and rear covers, a first roller provided at the front and a secondroller provided at the rear, a belt configured to wrap around the firstroller and the second roller and configured to move at a prescribedspeed, a section of the belt being exposed through the opening, and asterilizing light provided between the rear cover and the second rollerand configured to emit light toward the belt. The rear cover may beconfigured to at least partially cover the second roller to preventlight from the sterilizing light from being emitted outside of the base.A front sterilizer may be provided on the front cover to face the belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a first end, a second end, and an openingbetween the first and second ends, a first roller provided at the firstend of the base and a second roller provided at the second end of thebase, at least one belt having an inner surface and an outer surface,the inner surface being wrapped around the first roller and the secondroller to form a closed loop and a section of the outer surface beingexposed, the belt being configured to move around the first and secondrollers at a prescribed speed, and a deodorizer provided in the base torelease ions for neutralizing pollutants. The pollutants may include atleast odor particles.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a first section that may be covered, a secondsection having an upper opening, and a plurality of vents providedbetween the first and second sections of the base, a belt configured tomove relative to the base and exposed through the upper opening of thesecond section of the base, a deodorizer provided in the first sectionof the base and configured to release ions, and a blower providedadjacent to the deodorizer to blow the ions through the vents to breakapart pollutants in the air at least above the upper opening of thebase.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a plurality of vents, first and second rollersprovided below the vents and spaced apart from each other by aprescribed distance, and third and fourth rollers provided below thevents and spaced apart from each other by the prescribed distance. Afirst belt may be wrapped around the first and second rollers to form afirst closed loop. A section of the first closed loop may be exposed andbe adjacent to a first side of the vents. A second belt may be wrappedaround the third and fourth rollers to form a second closed loop. Asection of the second closed loop may be exposed and being adjacent to afirst side of the vents. A deodorizer may be provided in the base at asecond side of the vents and configured to release ions. A blower may beprovided adjacent to the deodorizer to blow the ions from the first sideto the second side of the vents to break apart pollutants in the air atleast above the sections of the first and second closed loops.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a first end, a second end, and an openingbetween the first and second ends, a first roller provided at the firstend of the base and a second roller provided at the second end of thebase, a first belt wrapped around the first roller and the second rollerto form a first closed loop having a section exposed through theopening, the first belt being configured to move around the first andsecond rollers at a first prescribed speed, and a fragrance assemblyhaving a plurality of scent modules, each scent module storing onescent. The fragrance assembly may be configured to release a scent fromone of the plurality of scent modules toward the exposed section of thebelt to entice a pet to exercise. A scent module may be configured torelease one of a floral fragrance, a phontycide fragrance, or a beachfragrance.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a first end, a second end, and an openingbetween the first and second ends, a first roller provided at the firstend of the base, and a second roller provided at the second end of thebase. A first belt may have an inner surface and an outer surface. Theinner surface may be wrapped around the first roller and the secondroller to form a first closed loop. A section of the outer surface maybe exposed. The first belt may be configured to move around the firstand second rollers at a first prescribed speed. A display may be coupledto the first end of the base and may be configured to output at leastone of an image, video, or sound. A fragrance assembly may be configuredto release a scent based on content output on the display.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a fragrance assemblycomprising a case configured to expose an opening in the case and acartridge having a cylindrical shape and provided in the case. Thecartridge may be divided into multiple sections by recesses provided inan outer circumferential surface. The cartridge may be rotatable withinthe case to align a section of the cartridge with the opening. Aplurality of scent modules may be provided in the sections of thecartridge to be exposed through the opening. Each scent module mayinclude a fragrant material. At least one of the cartridge or a scentmodule may be configured to be removed and replaced with a replacementcartridge or a replacement scent module, respectively.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base, a first roller and a second roller spaced apart fromeach other and supported in the base, a first belt wrapped around thefirst roller and the second roller to form a first closed loop, thefirst belt being configured to move around the first and second rollersat a first prescribed speed, an attachment support removably coupled tothe base, and a dispenser removably coupled to the attachment supportand configured to dispense an edible item based on location data of apet, location data of an owner, and stored exercise data on priorexercise sessions of the pet.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a front surface. A first roller and a secondroller may be spaced apart from each other in a first direction andprovided behind the front surface of the base. A first belt may bewrapped around the first roller and the second roller and may beconfigured to move around the first and second rollers at a firstprescribed speed in a first closed loop. A customizable module may beremovably coupled to the base. The customizable module may be customizedto include at least one of a display or a treat dispenser. In anexercise configuration, the customizable module may be fitted onto thefront surface of the base. In a storage configuration, the customizablemodule may be removed, and the first belt may extend in a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction in the storage mode suchthat the front surface of the base may be facing a ground surface.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base, a first roller and a second roller spaced apart fromeach other and supported in the base, a first belt forming a firstclosed loop around the first roller and the second roller, a handlerotatably coupled to a middle portion of the base, the handle beingconfigured to rotate to a first position to cross over the first beltand to a second position adjacent to a side of the base, and a sensorprovided in the handle to detect a pet on the first belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a portable treadmillcomprising a base, a first roller and a second roller spaced apart fromeach other and supported in the base, a first belt forming a first looparound the first roller and the second roller, and a handle rotatablycoupled to a middle portion of the base. The handle may be configured torotate to a first position to cross over the belt and to a secondposition adjacent to a side of the base. Either in the first or secondposition, the base may be lifted using the handle for portability from afirst location to a second location.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a front, a rear, a left, and a right, a firstroller provided at the front of the base and a second roller provided atrear of the base, and a first belt wrapped around the first roller andthe second roller to form a first closed loop. The first belt may beconfigured to move around the first and second rollers at a firstprescribed speed. A first motor may be configured to drive the firstroller. An adjustment assembly may be configured to adjust aninclination of the base relative to a floor surface in a front-reardirection and in a left-right direction. At least one sensor may sense afront-rear position of a pet between the front and rear of the base anda left-right position of the pet between the left and right of the base.At least one of the front-rear inclination of the base, left-rightinclination of the base, or a speed of the first belt is adjusted basedon the positions sensed by the sensor.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a front, a rear, a left, and a right, a firstroller provided at the front of the base and a second roller provided atrear of the base, and a first belt wrapped around the first roller andthe second roller to form a first closed loop. The first belt may beconfigured to move around the first and second rollers at a firstprescribed speed. A first motor may be configured to drive the firstroller. An adjustment assembly may be configured to adjust of aninclination of the base relative to a floor surface in a left-rightdirection. At least one sensor may sense a left-right position of thepet between the left and right of the base. At least one of theleft-right inclination of the base or the first prescribed speed of thebelt may be adjusted based on the positions sensed by the sensor.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a front, a rear, a left, and a right, a leftbelt provided at the left of the base and moving at a first prescribedspeed in a first closed loop according to an exercise program, a rightbelt provided at right left of the base and moving at a secondprescribed speed in a second closed loop according to the exerciseprogram, an adjustment assembly configured to adjust an inclination ofthe base to raise a front left height, a front right height, a rear leftheight, and a rear right height according to the exercise program, andat least one lateral sensor to sense a left-right position of the petbetween the left and right of the base. When a pet is sensed to be toofar to the left, the exercise program may be changed such that at leastone of the first prescribed speed of the left belt is reduced, thesecond prescribed speed of the right belt is increased, a front leftheight is increased, a front right height is decreased, a rear leftheight is increased, or rear right height is decreased. When a pet issensed to be too far to the right, the exercise program may be changedsuch that at least one of the first prescribed speed of the left belt isincreased, the second prescribed speed of the right belt is decreased,the front left height is decreased, the front right height is increased,the rear left height is decreased, or the rear right height isincreased.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method forcontrolling a pet treadmill having a front, a rear, and a belt movingfrom the front to the rear. The method may comprise sensing a positionof the pet and determining, based on the sensed position, whether thepet is within a first predetermined distance range from the rear. Themethod may comprise, when the pet is within the first predetermineddistance range, decreasing a speed of the belt. The method may comprise,when the pet is not within the first predetermined distance range fromthe rear, determining whether the pet is within a second predetermineddistance range from the front. The method may comprise, when the pet iswithin the second predetermined distance range, increasing the speed ofthe belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method forcontrolling a pet treadmill having a front, a rear, a first side, asecond side, and a belt moving from the front to the rear. The methodmay comprise sensing a position of the pet, and determining, based onthe sensed position, whether the pet is within a first predetermineddistance range from the first side. The method may comprise, when thepet is within the first predetermined distance range, performing atleast one of raising a height of the first side of the front, raising aheight of the first side of the rear, lowering a height of the secondside of the front, or lowering a height of the second side of the rear.The method may comprise, when the pet is not within the predetermineddistance range from the rear, determining whether the pet is within asecond predetermined distance range from the second side. The method maycomprise, when the pet is within the second predetermined distancerange, performing at least one of lowering a height of the first side ofthe front, lowering a height of the first side of the rear, raising aheight of the second side of the front, or raising a height of thesecond side of the rear.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method forcontrolling a pet treadmill comprising obtaining a location of a petrelative to the pet treadmill, obtaining a location of an owner relativeto the pet treadmill, storing information about when the pet uses thepet treadmill, determining whether the pet is within a firstpredetermined distance from the pet treadmill, when it is determinedthat the pet is not within the first predetermined distance,implementing one of a sleep mode, storage mode, or off mode, when it isdetermined that the pet is within the first predetermined distance,determining whether the owner is outside of a second predetermineddistance from the pet treadmill, when it is determined that the owner isnot outside of the second predetermined distance, implementing a manualmode, and when it is determined that the owner is outside of the secondpredetermined distance, implementing an away mode.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a first end and a second end, a first rollerprovided at the first end of the base and a second roller provided atthe second end of the base, a first belt wrapped around the first rollerand the second roller to form a first closed loop, the first belt beingconfigured to move around the first and second rollers at a firstprescribed speed, at least one thermoelectric assembly configured toheat or cool air, and a blower configured to disperse the air heated orcooled by the thermoelectric assembly toward the first belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a first section that may be covered, a secondsection having an upper opening, and a plurality of vents providedbetween the first and second sections of the base, at least one beltconfigured to move relative to the base and exposed through the upperopening of the second section of the base, and at least onethermoelectric assembly configured to heat or cool air. Thethermoelectric assembly may be provided in the first section of the basebehind the plurality of vents. A blower may be provided in the firstsection of the base and may be configured to blow air heated or cooledby the thermoelectric assembly through the plurality of vents.

Embodiments disclosed herein may include a treadmill for a petcomprising a base having a top and a bottom, a first roller and a secondroller spaced apart from each other and supported in the base, and afirst belt forming a first closed loop around the first roller and thesecond roller. The first belt may be configured to move around the firstroller and the second roller at a first prescribed speed. A section ofthe first belt may be exposed through the top of the base. A storagecontainer may be provided at the bottom of the base and be configured tocollect debris removed from the first belt as the first belt moves atthe first prescribed speed.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base, a first roller and a second roller spaced apart fromeach other and supported in the base, a first belt forming a firstclosed loop around the first roller and the second roller, the firstbelt being configured to move around the first roller and the secondroller at a first prescribed speed, and at least one first surfacecontacting the first belt to induce a static cling on the first belt asthe first belt moves at the first prescribed speed. The first surfacemay be formed by at least one of a brush, a felt, a scraper, a sweeper,or a bristle that contacts an outer surface of the first belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base, a tread moving relative to the base, and a cleaningassembly. The cleaning assembly may comprise at least one ultravioletlight configured to emit ultraviolet radiation toward the tread, adeodorizer having a photocatalytic deodorizer configured to release ionsto break apart pollutants including at least one odor in air above atleast the tread when light may be shined on the photocatalyticdeodorizer, and a debris remover having a first surface contacting thetread to induce a static charge on the tread and a container configuredto store debris. Debris clinging to the tread may be scraped off thetread by the first surface and deposited into the container as the treadmoves at a first prescribed speed.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base including an upper frame and a lower frame, and afirst roller and a second roller spaced apart from each other by aprescribed distance and supported in the base. The first and secondrollers may be coupled to the upper frame. A first belt may form a firstclosed loop around the first roller and the second roller. The firstbelt may be configured to be removed from the first roller and thesecond roller. A belt tension adjuster may be configured to change theprescribed distance to adjust a tension of the first belt.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a treadmill for a petcomprising a base, a tread moveable relative to the base, and a frameremovable from the base and having at least one front roller provided ata front and at least one rear roller provided at a rear. The tread maybe configured to wrap around the front roller and the rear roller. Theframe may have an adjustable length.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a pet treadmillcomprising a base, at least one front roller and at least one rearroller spaced apart from the front roller by a prescribed distance, aplurality of rollers provided between the front roller and the rearroller, a tread configured to wrap around the front roller, rear roller,and plurality of rollers to form a closed loop, and at least one motorconfigured to drive at least one of the front roller or the rear roller.The prescribed distance may be adjusted to adjust a tension of thetread.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method forcontrolling a treadmill for a pet having a belt. The method may comprisestoring information about when a predetermined exercise program has beenperformed, the predetermined exercise program including predeterminedconditions including a predetermined speed of the belt, and determiningwhether the treadmill is in a manual mode or an automatic mode. Then thetreadmill is in a manual mode, the method may comprise performing thepredetermined exercise program when an owner inputs a start command.When the treadmill in an automatic mode, the method may comprisedetermining whether a predetermined rest time has elapsed since thepredetermined exercise program has been performed. When thepredetermined rest time has elapsed, the method may comprise sensingwhether a pet is present on the belt. When the pet is present on thebelt, the method may comprise performing the predetermined exerciseprogram. Performing the predetermined exercise program may includeoperating the belt to move at the predetermined speed.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can bedirectly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers.In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layerspresent. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may beused herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of oneelement or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated inthe figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describedas “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented“upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference tocross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure.As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed aslimited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but areto include deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A treadmill, comprising: a base including abottom frame having a front end with left and right corners and a rearend with left and right corners; a tread configured to move relative tothe base, the tread being provided above the bottom frame; an adjustmentassembly configured to independently adjust a front left corner heightof the bottom frame, a front right corner height of the bottom frame, arear left corner height the bottom frame, and a rear right corner heightof the bottom frame to assist a pet to be positioned at a predeterminedlocation on the tread, and at least one sensor to sense a position of apet on the tread, wherein the adjustment assembly is controlled based ona sensed position by the sensor, wherein the at least one sensorincludes a lateral sensor provided toward a front end of the base, andbased on the lateral sensor indicating a lateral distance of a pet ofthe tread relative to a left side and a right side of the base, theadjustment assembly increases or decreases a height of the left siderelative to the right side, the left side is a side extending along thefront left corner to the rear left corner of the bottom frame and theright side is a side extending along the front right corner to the rearright corner of the bottom frame.
 2. The treadmill of claim 1, whereinthe adjustment assembly includes a first height adjuster provided at thefront end of the bottom frame and a second height adjuster provided atthe rear end of the bottom frame, the first height adjuster beingconfigured to independently adjust the front right corner height and thefront left corner height of the bottom frame and the second heightadjuster being configured to independently adjust the rear left cornerheight and the rear right corner height of the bottom frame.
 3. Thetreadmill of claim 2, wherein the first height adjuster includes atleast one first air tank to independently adjust the front right cornerheight and the front left corner height of the bottom frame, and thesecond height adjuster includes at least one second air tank toindependently adjust the rear left corner height and the rear rightcorner height of the bottom frame.
 4. The treadmill of claim 3, whereinthe first height adjuster includes a first leg configured to support theleft corner of the front end of the bottom frame and a second legconfigured to support the right corner of the front end of the bottomframe, the second height adjuster includes a third leg configured tosupport the left corner of the rear end of the bottom frame and a fourthleg configured to support the right corner of the rear end of the bottomframe, and a length of each of the first, second, third, and fourth legsare configured to be independently increased or decreased to adjust theheight of the bottom frame above a ground surface.
 5. The treadmill ofclaim 4, wherein the at least one first air tank includes a firstsub-air tank configured to increase or decrease the length of the firstleg and a second sub-air tank configured to increase or decrease thelength of the second leg, and the at least one second air tank includesa first sub-air tank configured to increase or decrease the length ofthe third leg and a second sub-air tank configured to increase ordecrease the length of the fourth leg.
 6. The treadmill of claim 4,wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth legs include aninner leg and an outer leg insertably coupled to the inner leg, andlengths of each of the first, second, third, and fourth legs areadjusted by adjusting an overlapping distance between the inner andouter legs.
 7. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising a displaycoupled to the base, the display configured to play videos, images, andsounds.
 8. The treadmill of claim 7, wherein the adjustment assemblyadjusts at least one of the front right corner height, front left cornerheight, rear right corner height, or rear left corner height tocorrespond to a content being played back on the display.
 9. Thetreadmill of claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly adjusts at leastone of the front right corner height, front left corner height, rearright corner height, or rear left corner height based on a predeterminedexercise program.
 10. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising ahandle having a handle top, wherein the at least one sensor includes atop sensor provided in the handle top, and based on the top sensorindicating a position of pet relative to the front and rear ends of thebottom frame, the adjustment assembly increases or decreases a height ofthe front end relative to the rear end.
 11. The treadmill of claim 10,wherein, when the top sensor indicates that the position of the pet iswithin a first predetermined distance range from the front end of thebottom frame, the adjustment assembly configured to increase a height ofthe front end relative to the rear end, and when the top sensorindicates that the position of the pet is within a second predetermineddistance range from the rear end of the bottom frame, the adjustmentassembly configured to decrease the height of the front end relative tothe rear end.
 12. The treadmill of claim 10, wherein, when the topsensor indicates that the position of the pet is within a firstpredetermined distance range from the front end of the bottom frame, theadjustment assembly configured to decrease a height of the rear endrelative to the front end, and when the top sensor indicates that theposition of the pet is within a second predetermined distance range fromthe rear end of the bottom frame, the adjustment assembly configured toincrease the height of the rear end relative to the front end.
 13. Thetreadmill of claim 1, wherein, when the lateral sensor indicates thatthe position of the pet is outside of a first predetermined distancerange from the right side of the base, the adjustment assemblyconfigured to increase a height of the left side relative to the rightside, and when the lateral sensor indicates that the position of the petis outside a second predetermined distance range away from the left sideof the base, the adjustment assembly configured to decrease the heightof the left side relative to the right side.
 14. The treadmill of claim1, wherein, when the lateral sensor indicates that the position of thepet is within a first predetermined distance range from the left side ofthe base, the adjustment assembly configured to decrease a height of theright side relative to the left side, and when the lateral sensorindicates that the position of the pet is within a second predetermineddistance range from the right side of the base, the adjustment assemblyconfigured to increase the height of the right side relative to the leftside.
 15. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the tread includes a firstbelt and a second belt, the first belt extending from the front end ofthe bottom frame to the rear end of the bottom frame at the left side ofthe base and forming a first closed loop, and the second belt extendingfrom the front end of the bottom frame to the rear end of the bottomframe at the right side of the base and forming a second closed loop.16. The treadmill of claim 15, further comprising a divider providedbetween the first belt and the second belt, the divider having thelateral sensor, the lateral sensor including a first sensor to sense aposition of a pet on the right side of the bottom frame and a secondsensor to sense a position of the pet on the left side of the bottomframe.
 17. The treadmill of claim 16, wherein, in addition to orindependently from controlling the adjustment assembly, a speed of theleft belt and a speed of the right belt are controlled based on a sensedposition by at least one of the first and second sensors to assist thepet to be positioned at the predetermined location on the first andsecond belts.
 18. A treadmill, comprising: a base including a bottomframe having a right side and a left side; a tread configured to moverelative to the base, the tread includes a first belt and a second belt,the first belt extending from the front end of the bottom frame to therear end of the bottom frame at the left side of the base and forming afirst closed loop, and the second belt extending from the front end ofthe bottom frame to the rear end of the bottom frame at the right sideof the base and forming a second closed loop; a sensor provided toward afront of the base to sense a position of a pet relative to at least oneof the right side or the left side; an adjustment assembly configured toindependently adjust at least one of a height of the left side or theright side to assist a pet to be positioned at a predetermined locationon the tread based on a position detected by the sensor; and a dividerprovided between the first belt and the second belt, the divider havingthe lateral sensor, the lateral sensor including a first sensor to sensea position of a pet on the right side of the bottom frame and a secondsensor to sense a position of the pet on the left side of the bottomframe.